Palace barricades dismantled

Calling it a "physical and tangible gesture for peace and reconciliation," the Presidential Security Group (PSG) removed yesterday the unsightly barricades on roads leading to Malacañang Palace.

PSG chief Brig. Gen. Delfin Bangit said the lifting of the barriers and opening of the gates, particularly at the Chino Roces Bridge and on Arlegui street, was carried out with the Manila Police District (MPD) after a lengthy deliberation on the matter.  

The decision was made only on Thursday, he said.

"This is a physical and tangible gesture for peace and reconciliation. This is also following the call of the President for peace, unity and reconciliation. I believe that this modest move would contribute to the lessening of tension," Bangit said in an interview.

"People think we like these barricades, but we don’t. I also thought that this would be good for our men this Christmas. I was thinking of what I could give them. This is not monetary, but this is something for the soul and would last," he added.

For his part, Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye said he welcomed the move of the PSG and the MPD in lifting the barricades to help reduce tension.

"We say it again, the worst of the political crisis is over," Bunye said.

The barricades removed included sawhorses with barbed wire and trailer containers. The gates barring the rear half of Mendiola toward the Palace were opened while streamers were hung over sentries, with the message: "Who can say no to peace?"

Some PSG men manning the gates greeted those entering "Merry Christmas" while some pointed to their shirts that had the same "peace" slogans printed on them.

The move appeared to be generally well-received by those who regularly enter the Palace complex.

Bangit said the barangay captains expressed their appreciation for the move. Some of them even put up loudspeakers that blared Christmas carols.

He said he also received reports that businesses and schools in the area had positive comments.

Residents hailed the decision, which they said was the first step to normalcy.

"The removal of barricades will make the atmosphere in the protected area of Malacañang more relaxed this Christmas," barangay chairwoman Prescy Asuncion said.

Residents also voiced their appeal to "destabilizers of the government" to follow the lead of the PSG in its call for peace, unity and harmony.

It will be recalled that barriers consisting of barbed wires and empty container vans were put up around the approach to the Malacañang Palace last June at the height of political turmoil in the country when opposition and militant groups called for the ouster of President Arroyo.

Militant groups were turned back by water cannons when they insisted on marching to Malacañang. Police also declared Mendiola, the approach to Malacañang, as off limits to rallyists.

Bangit explained that although the barricades have been removed, routine checks and inspections of pedestrians and vehicles will continue to be implemented to ensure the security of the complex.

A new vehicle traffic rerouting scheme that will be more convenient to motorists passing through the area shall also be implemented, Bangit added.

As this developed, Manila Police District director Chief Superintendent Pedro Bulaong expressed his support to the PSG initiative by also ordering the removal of barricades in his area of jurisdiction. – With Nestor Etolle