Cops on alert for Day of Protest

The Western Police District (WPD) has been placed on full alert for daily rallies to be staged by leftist organizations this week in protest of the upcoming visit of US President George W. Bush.

The protest rallies which started yesterday shall culminate with a "National Day of Protest" on Bush’s arrival on Saturday, which is projected to draw at least 50,000 participants, according to the information gathered by the WPD’s intelligence unit.

In a memorandum to the 11 police station commanders in Manila, WPD’s Investigation and Intelligence Division chief Superintendent Edgar Danao directed the officials to take appropriate action and security measures in their respective areas of responsibility (AOR) and monitor the activities of the rallyists.

Among the identified organizations which will participate in the rallies are the Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP), Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU), Gabriela, Courage, Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT), League of Filipino Students (LFS), Migrante International, the urban poor group Kadamay, Anakbayan, Anakpawis, the fisherfolk group Pamalakaya, Alliance of Health Workers, Alyansa ng Magsasaka-Timog Katagalugan and Alyansa ng Magsasaka-Gitnang Luzon.

In his memorandum, Danao said about 5,000 rallyists from Southern Luzon arrived in Makati City through "Lakbayan" yesterday and converged at the Ninoy Aquino monument Ayala Avenue. The group was later joined by rallyists coming from the southern part of Metro Manila.

The same groups are scheduled to march to the US Embassy today, according to Danao. The rallyists will then encamp in front of the Department of Agrarian Reform in Quezon City where they will later proceed to Batasang Pambansa in time for Bush’s arrival, Danao’s memorandum stated. – Nestor Etolle