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Metro cops on full alert for 9/11 anniversary, Erap verdict


The police in Metro Manila went on full alert 8 a.m. Tuesday, the anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attack in the United States. The heightened security also comes a day before the promulgation on Sept. 12 of the Sandiganbayan verdict on the plunder case against former President Joseph Estrada. On orders of Metro Manila police commander Dep. Dir. Gen. Reynaldo Varilla, police in all five districts were placed under full alert and instructed to keep watch over possible terrorist "targets." In Malacañang, dzBB radio reported that police have set up container vans, barbed-wire fences, a 6-x-6 truck and makeshift tents to "secure" the Palace for Wednesday's event. The Presidential Security Group had recommended that President Arroyo stay in the Palace the whole day Wednesday. The police also closed down lanes along Chino Roces (Mendiola) Bridge, keeping only one lane passable to vehicles. As this developed, police invited the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) to observe Wednesday's events in a bid to assure Estrada supporters that police will respect human rights. Even before the order went into effect at 8 a.m. Tuesday, the police had already beefed up visibility and checkpoint operations to thwart possible terror attacks. Uniformed and plainclothes police were observed keeping watch over the US Embassy in Manila, along with the Malacañang complex and the Pandacan oil depot. Policemen were also visible at key facilities such as bus terminals and Light Rail Transit (LRT) stations. Varilla reassured supporters of Estrada that the police will respect their rights when they hold rallies on Wednesday, so long as the gatherings are peaceful. He said he has invited the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) to send observers to watch the "proceedings" in rallies for and against Estrada on Wednesday. "Nag-imbita kami taga-CHR para ma-observe at makita sino ang nagva-violate ng human rights kung magkaroon ng confrontation bukas (We invited CHR representatives to observe and see who among us is violating human rights in case of a confrontation)," he said in an interview on dzEC radio. Varilla said his men are ready for rallies in Pasay City, near the Senate grounds, Makati City, and San Juan City. For his part, Makati mayor Jejomar Binay still branded as paranoid the Metro Manila police's plan to deploy 6,000 policemen for Estrada's promulgation. Binay reiterated pro-Estrada forces do not plan to stage any activities that will cause destabilization or disruption of everyday activities. Traffic police enforcers started clearing Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City Tuesday in preparation for the Sandiganbayan's handing down of its decision on former President Joseph Estrada's plunder case on Wednesday. In Quezon City, traffic police head Sr. Supt. Norberto Mabagay said the police have started asking motorists at 6 a.m. not to park their vehicles along the avenue. "Almost the entire Commonwealth Avenue ay no-parking zone. Makikiusap tayo sakababayan huwag mag-park sa tabi (Almost the entire Commonwealth Avenue is a no-parking zone. We have started asking motorists not to park along the side of the road)," Mabagay said in an interview on dzBB radio. He said the police have also started removing concrete barriers in the area between the University of the Philippines Diliman Preparatory School and the Commission on Audit. - GMANews.TV

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