2,000 cops deployed at Rizal Park for 'Million People March' vs pork

MANILA, Philippines - At least 2,000 policemen were deployed by the Manila Police District (MPD) to secure the "Million People Protest" against pork barrel at Rizal Park (Luneta) on Monday.

Chief Superintendent Isagani Genabe Jr., MPD director, said the policemen have already conducted patrols and security checks at the Quirino Grandstand at the Rizal Park and the Don Chino Roces bridge (formerly Mendiola) near Malacañang.

Genabe said the policemen have also set up a checkpoint at the park, where all passing vehicles were inspected.

Radio reports said that several protesters have arrived at the Rizal Park for the protest earlier than the demonstration's scheduled start at 9 a.m.

Reports said that the Rizal Park, near the Quirino Grandstand area, was already swarming with vendors selling food and anti-pork barrel T-shirts.

The protest action aims to muster at least a million peopleat Luneta and call for the total abolition of the pork barrel. Related protests are also happening in other parts of the country and the world, where there are Filipinos.

It was called after the pork barrel scam involving members of Congress and businesswoman Janet Lim Napoles was exposed to the media.

On Friday, President Benigno Aquino III ordered the pork barrel system abolished and announced that the government will introduce a new system that would ensure a transparent disbursement of the people's funds.