Protests snarl traffic at Mendiola, Commonwealth Avenue

Protests by militant groups snarled traffic along Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City and Mendiola Bridge near Malacañang before noon on Monday. In Quezon City, traffic along Commonwealth Avenue slowed to a crawl as militant groups arrived near St. Peter Church, radio dzBB's Allan Gatus reported. The militants tried to negotiate with anti-riot police personnel guarding the area but the police did not budge, saying they have yet to receive orders to allow protesters to proceed to the Batasan Complex. The militant groups in the area included farmers from Hacienda Luisita in Tarlac; Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan); and Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU). The police blocking the path of the protesters in Quezon City were personnel from the Metro Manila police's Regional Public Safety Battalion. The "confrontation" slowed down traffic along the southbound part of the highway, which was partially opened to accommodate northbound vehicles as the northbound lane had been closed to traffic since 5:00 a.m. Meanwhile, in Manila, radio dzBB's Carlo Mateo reported a similar disruption of traffic as protesters held their program at the Mendiola Bridge. Police had closed off Mendiola to traffic early Monday while the Coast Guard patrolled Pasig River near the Palace. - VVP, GMA News