PNoy arrives at Monumento for Bonifacio rites

President Benigno Aquino III arrived at the Bonifacio Monument area in Caloocan City early Saturday for rites marking the 150th birth anniversary of Filipino hero Andres Bonifacio.

Aquino arrived at about 8 a.m. and trooped the line and led the ceremonies at Bonifacio's Monument, radio dzBB's Manny Vargas reported.

In his speech posted on the Official Gazette on Saturday morning, Aquino said: "Sa umagang ito po, nagtitipon tayo upang ipagdiwang ang ika-150 anibersaryo ng kapanganakan ni Gat Andres Bonifacio. Kasabay nito, ipinagbubunyi rin natin ang ika-80 anibersaryo ng pagpapasinaya ng monumentong ito—na hindi lamang nagsisilbing tanda ng kabayanihan ng Supremo, kundi simbulo rin ng paninindigan nating panatilihin ang kasarinlan ng Inang Bayan."

"Kinakatawan niya ang tapang, tatag, at determinasyon ng karaniwang Pilipino sa pagharap o paglaban sa anumang hamon o hadlang," Aquino added.

Meanwhile, the dzBB report said security was tight at Monumento area, with media movements restricted in the area.

On the other hand, some Cabinet members were wearing barong with a Katipunan motif.

Earlier Saturday, the monument area was closed to vehicular traffic, with the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority advising motorists to take alternate routes.

Meanwhile, a report on state-run Philippines News Agency said Vice President Jejomar Binay was to lead rites marking Bonifacio's birth anniversary in Manila. — with a report from Amanda Fernandez /LBG, GMA News