Shrine off-limits to rallyists

The Eastern Police District (EPD) has declared the EDSA Shrine in Mandaluyong City "off-limits" to street demonstrations.

Newly-installed EPD director Chief Superintendent Charlemagne Alejandrino said his command is bent on enforcing the request of the Church not to allow demonstrators at the historical site to prevent it from being desecrated.

Alejandrino said at least 400 policemen from his command and the Regional Special Action Unit (RSAU), including 15 female members of the EPD Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team, were deployed to the Shine as left-leaning groups staged rallies in various areas of Metro Manila yesterday.

"We will allow them (protesters) to pass the area, but they will be barred from going near the EDSA Shrine," said Alejandrino. He said female SWAT officers would serve as the EPD’s first line of defense against protesters.

The Shrine was the site of the People Power 2 revolt that led to the ouster of then President Joseph Estrada in Feb. 2001.

Alejandrino also directed the district Traffic Enforcement Group (TEG) to deploy traffic policemen to affected streets and thoroughfares in San Juan, Pasig City and Mandaluyong City. – Non Alquitran