Cops tighten security at SC as it tackles impeachment-related motions

Security was tightened at the Supreme Court premises in Manila on Thursday, as the high court prepared to tackle motions related to the impeachment trial of Chief Justice Renato Corona. The Manila Police District (MPD) said it expects groups to hold protest actions but assured the public it has enough personnel to maintain peace and order, radio dzBB's Carlo Mateo reported. MPD spokesman Chief Inspector Erwin Margarejo said they have "enough" personnel to deal with protest groups, even if the protests become unruly. But Margarejo appealed to the groups to police their own ranks and to make sure their protest actions at the high court do not turn violent. Several pro- and anti-Corona groups were expected to picket the high court as it tackles some motions related to the impeachment trial. Among the more recent motions is the one asking it to stop the ongoing impeachment proceedings at the Senate, which started last Jan. 16. On Wednesday, Corona and his camp asked the high court to nullify the impeachment proceedings against him, but said it was merely exhausting all possible legal remedies. Corona also sought to stop the presentation of evidence related to his foreign and peso bank deposits. — LBG, GMA News