Cops secure Mendiola, US Embassy from Martial Law rallies

Manila police secured early Friday the Mendiola Bridge near Malacañang and the United States Embassy along Roxas Boulevard amid planned protests by militants to mark the 40th anniversary of Martial Law.

 

The Manila Police District deployed anti-riot teams to the two areas to ensure rallies there are peaceful and orderly, radio dzBB's Cecilia Villarosa reported.

 

Several militant groups had indicated they would march to Mendiola Bridge before noon Friday, the report said.

 

Groups including Karapatan, Selda and Bagong Alyansang Makabayan were to gather along España Boulevard at 10 a.m. before marching to Mendiola.

 

Participants in the march were to shout "Never again" to another Martial Law. The late President Ferdinand Marcos declared Martial Law in 1972, a move his critics claim was meant to tighten his grip on power.

 

Many human rights violations were recorded during the dark days of Martial Law.

 

On the other hand, the MPD had beefed up security at the US Embassy shortly after an attack on the embassy in Libya killed a US diplomat.

 

The terrorist network al-Qaeda had called for more attacks against US embassies following the Libya incident, which stemmed from protests against a controversial video that some groups claimed mocked Islam.

 

On Thursday, militants had engaged police in a shoving match after police blocked them from getting near the US Embassy. –KG, GMA News