AFP, PNP hold 'Bike for Peace'

Manila, Philippines - Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief Gen. Eduardo Oban and Philippine National Police chief Director General Raul Bacalzo will lead today’s 20-kilometer “Bike for Peace” caravan in Metro Manila in line with the two forces’ sustained advocacy in promoting peace and development in the country.

Oban and Bacalzo will join AFP and PNP personnel in the bike caravan from the Philippine International Convention Center to the People Power Monument along EDSA before heading toward the finish line in Camp Crame.

“Some 150 military bikers from the Philippine Navy, Philippine Air Force and the Philippine Army will be taking part in the caravan,” Maj. Enrico Gil Ileto, acting chief of the AFP Public Information Office, said.

“Together with the PNP and all other stakeholders, the AFP is with the entire Filipino people who share similar aspirations of a just and lasting peace and stability within the country. We continue to exhaust all means to promote peace and the practice of it,” Oban said in a statement.

The joint military and police event comes as various groups prepare for their planned protest actions for President Aquino’s second State of the Nation Address (SONA) tomorrow.

Several anti-government groups earlier announced they would be staging rallies to protest the President’s failure to keep his election promise that he would pay special attention to the plight of the poor, students and the working class.

The National Capital Region Command under Maj. Gen. Tristan Kison and the National Capital Region Police Office led by Director Alan Purisima have placed their respective units under heightened alert to ensure that no untoward incidents will happen during the President’s SONA.