Palace defense fortified

Mendiola and other streets leading to Malacañang Palace became a mini-garrison yesterday following the aborted coup attempt by rightist military adventurists.

Container vans and barbed wire were placed in the middle of the road as heavily armed police and military personnel secured the areas.

The Manila Police District (MPD) deployed some 500 policemen at the Chino Roces bridge (formerly Mediola) in anticipation of opposition rallies during the celebration of the 20th anniversary of people power 1.

However, no rallies took place in the area following the proclamation of national state of emergency by President Arroyo shortly before noon.

Proclamation 1017 includes the cancellation of all rally permits scheduled for yesterday, including other planned rallies in the coming days.

The lack of action offered policemen manning the approach to Mendiola an opportunity to rest.

"Medyo pahinga kami ngayon. Sana naman wala nang mag-rally dito sa Mendiola," said a member of the civil disturbance management unit of the MPD, who hardly had any sleep since midnight.

The entire MPD force was called to report for work last night after reports of troop movements in Fort Bonifacio and Camp Aguinaldo were monitored by headquarters.

An armored personnel carrier, which has been stationed at the MPD headquarters, was also positioned near the entrance.

Vehicles entering Malacañang were fully checked, while private and public motorists were diverted out of the Malacañang perimeter. Traffic was heavy around the streets of the Palace.

Schools were also suspended yesterday following the announcement of Malacañang that a group of soldiers had tried to break away from the military chain of command and planned to join the scheduled rallies of militant groups calling for the resignation of President Arroyo.

At around 7 a.m., MPD chaplain Father Arnulfo Castillo officiated Mass at the foot of the Chino Roces bridge with Manila policemen in attendance led by MPD director Chief Superintendent Pedro Bulaong.

Following Proclamation 1017, Bulaong said that no rallies will be allowed in Manila, either pro- or anti-Arroyo administration.

Fire trucks were also deployed around strategic areas leading to Malacañang.

The entire Metro Manila policemen had been placed on red alert since Saturday in anticipation of large rallies for the people power anniversary.