Cops on alert vs protests over SC ruling on Hacienda Luisita

Police were placed on alert near the premises of the Supreme Court in Manila Wednesday, following reported plans by farmers' groups to protest the high court's decision involving Hacienda Luisita Inc. in Tarlac. The Manila Police District (MPD) said it is ready to deploy Civil Disturbance Management Unit (CDMU) teams along Padre Faura Street and Taft Avenue to keep protesters from reaching the SC premises, radio dzBB's Carlo Mateo reported. MPD spokesman Chief Inspector Erwin Margarejo said "enough" forces will focus on the area to prevent groups from disrupting the high court's daily activities. Citing reports reaching it, the MPD said several farmers and workers from the hacienda were scheduled to hold a protest near the SC on Wednesday. Last Tuesday, the high court issued a landmark decision where it invalidated the Stock Distribution Plan (SDP). Instead of distributing to farmers the over 6,000 hectares of sugarcane plantation under the comprehensive agrarian reform program, the management through the SDP, offered the farmers – as an alternative to land distribution – shares of stocks in the hacienda. The Supreme Court on Tuesday upheld the revocation of the SDP, but it also called for a new referendum. Meanwhile, Margarejo called on organizers of the rallies to police their own ranks and prevent violence. — LBG, GMA News