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Tuesday, June 29, 2004
Security tight in Manila, Cebu
MANILA -- More military and police personnel have been deployed in Metro Manila and Cebu to secure the inauguration of President Arroyo and Vice President Noli de Castro.
Security is being tightened as some groups have warned to protest Arroyo's oathtaking.
Malacaņang has also declared June 30 as a special non-working holiday in Cebu, where Arroyo will take her oath of office.
Arroyo's spokesman Ignacio Bunye said the inauguration will begin early, with Arroyo arriving at the Quirino Grandstand in Manila at 7:45 a.m., to be followed by the singing of the national anthem by singer Sarah Geronimo.
This will be followed by an ecumenical prayer by religious leaders from the Catholic Church, Philippine Council of Evangelical Churches, Iglesia ni Cristo, and Islamic leaders.
Arroyo will deliver her inaugural speech at 8 a.m. After 20 minutes, the Ateneo Chamber Singers, singer/actress Jolina Magdangal, and singer Mark Bautista will sing "Tayo Na," the theme song of the event.
Donuts, sandwiches and coffee will be served at the Luneta afterwards.
At 9 a.m., she will motor to Villamor Air Base for the flight to Cebu where she will take her oath outside the Cebu Provincial Capitol at noon. The vin d'honneur for the diplomatic community afterwards will take place at the Shangri-La Mactan hotel.
A 5 p.m. thanksgiving mass at the Metropolitan Cathedral will be officiated by Cebu Archbishop Cardinal Ricardo Vidal. This will be followed at 7 p.m. by the mass oath-taking of Cebu officials, which Arroyo will officiate.
Bunye said the inauguration ceremonies will be "a very spartan activity and the expenditures will likewise be very minimal."
Bunye said troop movements and convoy of tanks are part of tight security in Metro Manila and Cebu in preparation for the inauguration.
At least 100 military rangers from a Camp Odanel based in Capas, Tarlac trooped to Manila Monday afternoon with eight armored vehicles in preparation against possible chaos that might erupt during the inauguration. They were escorted by the Central Police District (CPD) operatives from Balintawak exit of the North Expressway in Quezon City towards Camp Aguinaldo.
About 2,000 policemen, on the other hand, have been tasked to monitor the Luneta Park.
Regular military and police personnel from Civil Disturbance Management Unit will remain on guard in Metro Manila.
Armed Forces public information officer Daniel Lucero said the public should not be alarmed by the presence of more military forces in the metropolis because it is just part of regular troop movement.
National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) spokesman Bartolome Bustamante said they will strictly enforce a "no permit, no rally" policy.
He warned that they will disperse any group who will converge and stage a protest-rally without a permit. If allowed, protesters will not be allowed to hold rally near Luneta Park, he added.
Bustamante said they will start securing the Quiirino Grandstand Tuesday night.
In Cebu, cause-oriented groups in Cebu will hold a rally on Colon St. to remind Arroyo of her election promises.
Arman Perez, Bayan Muna Central Visayas general secretary, however, assured that they won't resort to a confrontation with authorities.
Police Regional Office (PRO) 7 Director Rolando Garcia said Monday that security for President Arroyo and her guests will be a "package operation."
Garcia, the over-all commander of the forces to secure the president, said the package security operation will extend to foreign dignitaries, national officials and other important people.
"Instead of providing personal security to each of them, there will be blanket security in all areas they will go to," Garcia said. These areas include the Mactan-Cebu International Airport and along the routes up to Cebu Provincial Capitol.
Policemen will also secure Fuente Osmeņa and Osmeņa Blvd. where the Sugbayanihan or a long barbecue line will be held.
Garcia discussed with the Presidential Security Group and the Armed Forces the security arrangements during a command conference Monday.
He said they identified their areas of responsibility.
A command center will be set up at Camp Sergio Osmeņa Sr. (Sunnex Luzon/EOB/With GC)
(June 29, 2004 issue)
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Protests dumped; Cebu guv known Tuesday