Rallyists resorting to violence in today’s EDSA 2 rites will be nabbed

Metro Manila police chief Deputy Director General Reynaldo Velasco warned yesterday to arrest persons who resort to violence to air their grievances during the second anniversary of the EDSA 2 that toppled former President Joseph Estrada.

"My men are ready to make arrests once the protesting groups resort to violence in airing their grievances," Velasco told The STAR.

According to Velasco, some 500 policemen from the Eastern and Southern Police Districts will secure the EDSA Shrine located at the tri-boundaries of Pasig City, Mandaluyong City and Quezon City. They will be augmented by military personnel.

The Northern and Central Police Districts will be responsible for securing the Monumento area in Caloocan City while the Western Police District (WPD) under Chief Superintendent Pedro Bulaong was tasked to guard Malacañang Palace.

Earlier, Auxiliary Bishop of Manila Socrates Villegas, rector of the EDSA Shrine, assured critics of the Arroyo administration they are welcome to attend the 11:30 Mass, but with certain conditions. He said no banners should be brought to the Shrine and that there should be no shouting and chanting of slogans by participants.

Last Friday night, a police contingent prevented the group of Pastor "Boy" Saycon; Bayan’s Teddy Casiño and party list Reps. Crispin Beltran and Liza Masa from advancing near the Shrine, which Villegas said he has nothing to do with.

Velasco said the police will impose the standing policy of the Church not to allow groups from using the EDSA Shrine to further their political objectives. He admitted though, that they received no intelligence reports that the communist movement, Muslim extremists or organized crime groups are out to conduct terroristic activities to embarass the Arroyo government.

But Velasco appealed to the rally leaders to police their own ranks to prevent infiltrators from provoking participants into a violent confrontation with policemen and soldiers guarding the area.

"Once they commit violence, we have no recourse but go after them at all cost and let them answer for their crimes," said Velasco as he expressed hope that today’s anti-government rally would be peaceful.