WHAT should have been a busy working day ended unproductive as passenger-hailing buses were stalled along the Epifanio delos Santos Avenue (EDSA) by a protest rally reportedly mobilized by the Iglesia ni Cristo in view of an imminent arrest of Senator Rodante Marcoleta.
According to police reports, groups gathered along EDSA near the People Power Monument as early as 2:00 am today.
Before sunrise, tributary roads leading to EDSA were “temporarily closed to traffic,” according to the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA).
“Expect slow moving traffic in the area. Motorists are advised to expect delays and take alternate routes when possible,” reads part of its advisory, as participants clad in white shirts bearing prints which read “transparency and accountability” started filling up the area.
At around 6 am, MMDA facilitated traffic, allowing a single northbound lane in EDSA White Plains “open to motorists,” as members of the Philippine National Police (PNP) were dispatched to secure the area.
MARCOS ALARMED
By 7:00 am, the lean crowd filled up the area, compelling President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to cancel his scheduled appearance at the presidential luncheon hosted by the Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines (FOCAP) to monitor the situation on EDSA.
In a message relayed to FOCAP’s Board of Trustees, Acting PCO Secretary Dave Gomez said the President would no longer attend the event.
“The President is canceling his appearance at today’s Presidential Luncheon to monitor the situation on EDSA,” acting Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Secretary Dave Gomez said in a letter addressed to FOCAP in reference to the event that was supposedly set to take place in Makati City.
MAXIMUM TOLERANCE
The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) instructed the police and local government units, to exercise maximum tolerance while ensuring appropriate security and traffic management measures
“The DILG calls on all participants and stakeholders to exercise their rights responsibly, uphold the rule of law, and cooperate with authorities throughout the activity,” said the DILG.
Two individuals, meanwhile, were reportedly arrested after supposedly hitting a cop during the EDSA protest that saw Batangas Rep. Leandro Leviste in attendance.
“The Department remains committed to protecting public safety while upholding the constitutional freedoms of every Filipino,” it added.
