100 anti-riot cops deployed to Pinaglabanan Shrine

MANILA, Philippines - At least 100 anti-riot policemen were deployed in San Juan City yesterday to prevent militant groups from staging a lightning rally at the Pinaglabanan Shrine to coincide with the celebration of Independence Day today.

“We will not be caught by surprise. We are ready to thwart any attempt to conduct a protest rally during the Independence Day celebration at the Pinaglabanan Shrine,” said Superintendent Remus Medina, intelligence chief of the Eastern Police District (EPD).

EPD director Chief Superintendent Miguel Laurel said 50 policemen each from the District Public Safety Battalion (BPSB) and the Headquarters Support Service (HSS) in Camp Crame would be deployed at the Pinaglabanan Shrine starting early morning today.

The guest of honor in today’s event at the Pinaglabanan Shrine is Sen. Koko Pimentel, president of the PDP-Laban.

According to Medina, militant groups might stage a “lightning rally” today to dramatize their support for illegal settlers of Barangay Corazon de Jesus. Last January, at least 33 persons were hurt in a violent demolition in the barangay.

There are reports that the San Juan City regional trial court (RTC) would issue a ruling to demolish the shanties in the area, which is near the newly erected city hall building.

Some of the residents have availed of the relocation project of San Juan Mayor Guia Gomez and only a handful remain in the area.