Cops secure US Embassy, Mendiola amid protests vs VFA

MANILA, Philippines - Police are keeping tighter watch on the United States Embassy and Mendiola Bridge near Malacañang for possible protests against the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA). Radio dzBB's Carlo Mateo reported that Manila Police District head Chief Superintendent Roberto Rosales ordered the tighter watch in the wake of the latest development in the Subic rape case. Militants cast the blame on the VFA for the rape of a Filipina codenamed “Nicole" by an American soldier in Subic in Zambales in 2005. Aside from the US Embassy and Mendiola, Rosales said he ordered his men to keep close watch on Plaza Ferguson across the embassy, T.M. Kalaw Street and United Nations Avenue - all of which are near the embassy. He also ordered his men to keep watch on the Supreme Court and Court of Appeals, which are handling petitions to junk the VFA. The Court of Appeals is also handling an appeal by convicted rapist Lance Corporal Daniel Smith. Rosales said there will be no new directive to the police personnel, as they had initially prepared for protests against the RP-US Balikatan joint exercises. Earlier, “Nicole" had recanted on her statement in the rape case and has gone to the United States. Despite this, militant groups vowed to continue their push for the junking of the VFA. Rosales said they will enforce strictly the "no permit no rally" policy. - GMANews.TV