Soldiers told to respect rights of protesters during SONA

MANILA, Philippines - Soldiers were told to respect the rights of protesters during the State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Aquino on Monday.

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesman Col. Arnulfo Burgos Jr. said members of the civil disturbance management (CDM) units attended a lecture on human rights yesterday, covering the rule of law, protection of human rights and International Humanitarian Law, particularly on the rules of engagement.   Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Nicanor Bartolome is satisfied with the SONA security setup of Metro Manila police commander Director Alan Purisima. 

A total of seven CDM units comprised of about 500 soldiers have been placed on standby to reinforce police.

The Armed Forces Standing Joint Task Force National Capital Region will back police, the Office of the Sergeant-at-Arms of the House of Representatives, and the Presidential Security Group in ensuring the safety of those attending the SONA. Combat support units were also placed on standby to provide emergency medical, transport, and traffic support. About 6,000 policemen will ensure order during the SONA, 3,500 of them from the NCRPO and others from nearby police regional offices.              

MMDA to deploy 200 crowd control men

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) will deploy some 200 crowd control personnel to help secure the Batasan Pambansa and surrounding areas, and 900 traffic enforcers and crowd control personnel will be deployed on Commonwealth Avenue. MMDA tow trucks and emergency vehicles will be on standby near the Sandiganbayan to respond to any emergency. 

Vehicles passing through Commonwealth Avenue near Batasan Pambansa would be rerouted starting at 6 a.m. on Monday.

Under the MMDA rerouting scheme, motorists coming from Fairview to EDSA are advised to turn right to Regalado Avenue, make a right to Dahlia St., left to Chestnut St., right to Old Sauyo Road, turn left to Mindanao Avenue and then right to EDSA. Private vehicles coming from EDSA and Congressional Avenue are advised to turn right to Congressional, left to Mindanao Avenue, right to Old Sauyo Road, left to Chestnut St., right to Dahlia, left to Regalado and then proceed to Commonwealth. Public utility vehicles are advised by MMDA to make use of the counter-flow lanes to be implemented from the Superstar KTV U-turn slot to the San Simon U-turn slot.  

Public elementary and high schools near the Batasan Pambansa may suspend classes on Monday. Quezon City Schools Division Superintendent Corazon Rubio issued the authorization to minimize traffic congestion. – Alexis Romero, Cecille Suerte Felipe, Mayen Jaymalin, Mike Frialde, Rhodina Villanueva