'Prayer warriors' march vs Chacha in Manila

Protesters from Welcome Rotonda arrived at Liwasang Bonifacioin Manila on Monday afternoon to join an interfaith prayer rally against amendments to the Constitution. Marchers, who earlier gathered and held a program at Welcome Rotonda, joined members of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) and other religious groups at around 4 p.m. for the prayer rally. Among the protesters were members of activist groups Bayan, Bayan Muna and People's March. Ferdinand Gaite, president of the Confederation for the Unity, Recognition and Advancement of Government Employees (Courage), said they joined the march to show their opposition not only with Charter change but also with the continued killing and harassment of activists in the countryside. Protesters were able to secure a rally permit from Manila City Hall, GMA News reported. Police have been rounding the area since morning to ensure that safety of the protesters. Director Vidal Querol, chief of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO), asked the protesters not to go to the places where they have no permit. "Nagkakaroon ng hidwaan, nagkakaroon ng tension kapag ang isang grupo ay gumagawa ng labag sa batas," he said. While the protesters were gathering at the Welcome Rotonda, police arrested an armed man who joined the ranks of demonstrators Monday past noon. However, when the GMA News team returned to the precinct near Welcome Rotonda where the police brought the man, but the latter was no longer there. Police have yet to identify the "suspect." Both protesters and police are not allowed to bring firearms during rallies. Father Jose Dizon, a protest leader, said the tight police security around Mendiola was unnecessary because organizers of the protest march already designated marshals to maintain peace and order. Dizon also denounced what he called as attempts by the police to infiltrate the marchers' ranks with plainclothes intelligence operatives. Separate reports stated some Manila policemen were seen bringing their firearm, a violation of the Rules of Engagement. GMA 7's DZBB said at least one riot policeman stationed at the corner of Morayta and C.M. Recto Avenues was seen with firearm which he tried to hide it inside the upper garment of his blue uniform. He did not have a nameplate. It was not the first time police were seen violating standard procedures. During the Labor Day protest actions on May 1, at least one anti-riot policeman who helped block laborers in Escolta was seen tucking his service firearm in his pants pocket.-GMANews.TV