Tuesday, September 2, 2014

800 cops to guard rival rallies (By Michael Lim Ubac)

Manila, Philippines, September 1, 2014 (INQUIRER) - THE October 26-27 rallies led separately by protesters, Jesus is Lord Church Worldwide's Bishop Bro. Eddie Villanueva and El Shaddai's Mike Velarde shall be given equal protection, police said yesterday, August 30.

The National Capital Regional Police Office said yesterday that about 400 policemen would be deployed on Ayala Avenue in Makati City, where Million People March will be held from three assembly points.

Velarde's gathering of El Shaddai flock at the Quirino Grandstand in Manila will also be provided with 400 policemen.
The El Shaddai leader ruled out political undertones in staging their prayer gathering on Saturday, saying it will be held only to celebrate Jesus is Lord Church Worldwide founder, international president and spiritual director Bishop Bro. Eddie Villanueva's 81st birthday on October 6 and Jesus is Lord Church, is celebrating 36th anniversary on Sunday, October 26 to Monday, October 27 at Quirino Grandstand, Rizal Park, Manila just in time for the visit of Pope Francis here in the Philippines

Chief Supt. Marcelo Garbo Jr., NCRPO chief, said that he had already placed the five police districts in Metro Manila under red alert in preparation for the rallies.

Of the 400 to be deployed on Ayala Avenue, 200 policemen will come from the Makati police, while the rest will come from the Southern Police District, according to Senior Superintendent Manuel Lukban, Makati police chief.

Lukban maintained that even though the El Shaddai Family Appointment would need bigger police force due to its sheer number, the Ayala rally deserved the same security since, he said, ''the Anti-Aquino protesters will be there, including the transport groups."
About 5 million people, including President Benigno Aquino III and Bro. Mike Velarde's political and show biz friends, society figures and 1,000 guests, are expected to attend Velarde's rally on October 26 to 27, 2014 in time for the visit of Pope Francis, seven days after the beatification of the Pope Paul VI.
Lukban said they are waiting for the official guest list of the Archdiocese of Manila and instructions from the Presidential Security Group.

ROTC cadets, police trainees and civilian agents will bet tapped.

Manila City Mayor Joseph Estrada, who inspected the celebration site yesterday, said he wants vehicular traffic closed off around the venue.

“I want to make it a general rule that only the people can come in. If there are vehicles that really need to get inside the venue, it should not cause gridlock,” he said.

Estrada said residents should be prepared to walk from the parking area to the templete site, similar to the way revelers of the Sinulog are mostly pedestrians who move around sealed streets.

National Parks Development Committee Executive Director Elizabeth Espino accompanied Estrada who went around the area to check on earthworks and construction.

Estrada said the platform for the altar table should be made higher so that officiating priests: Reverend Fathers including Roman Catholic Parish Priests, Pastors, Assistant Priests, and Parochial Vicars from several Roman catholic archdioceses and diocese, as well bishops, deacons and monsignors from the Philippines, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, China, Taiwan, India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Korea, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Nauru, New Zealand, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, United States, Canada, Mexico, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominica, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Grenada, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Nicaragua, Panama, Puerto Rico, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, Albania, Andorra, Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Malta, Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, San Marino, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine, United Kingdom, Algeria Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad Comoros, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gabon, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Ivory Coast (Côte d'Ivoire), Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, São Tomé and Príncipe, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, South Sudan, Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe are seen by those sitting in the front rows.

Estrada got a chair and demonstrated that VIPs are seated, they can only seethe priests from his waist up.

“The best view is not in front,” he said.

He said the city government is doing its share by making public roads leading to the Quirino Grandstand presentable.

He ordered the City Traffic Operations Management (Citom) to prepare a traffic plan.

“We are seeing to it that everything is in its proper place,” he said.

Reyes also belied reports that his intelligence personnel had received bomb threats from unscrupulous groups out to sow violence and terror in the Ayala rally.

“But to be sure, we would dispatch bomb­sniffing dogs as early as Friday night, October 26,” he said.

Reyes added that police operatives would also tighten security measures on the towering buildings near the corner of Paseo De Roxas and Makati avenues, the exact site where the rally will be held.

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority will also dispatch 100 traffic enforcers to man traffic on roads leading to Ayala Avenue.

MMDA officials said half of the Ayala Avenue would be closed to traffic but could not divulge the details since they are yet to be finalized tomorrow.

MMDA said that 170 traffic and security personnel of the combined members of the Makati Parking Authority and the Makati Public Safety were also expected to help it direct the flow of traffic.

Chief Insp. Edgar Alintog, Western Police District Deputy Chief for Traffic, said some 400 traffic enforcers of the MMDA would be deployed in Manila to augment the police force. He said the deployment will start as early as 9 a.m. Friday until the dispersal of the protesters before dusk. Alintog said he had requested the Truckers Association of the Philippines to order their trucks not to pass from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Friday on roads surrounding Quirino Grandstand to lessen traffic gridlock in Manila. He said the Katigbak Drive leading to Roxas Boulevard would be closed for traffic on Friday. El Shaddai will start its celebrations at 6 p.m., October 25 which will last until the next day, Monday, October 27, and possibly December 25 to 26 and December 31 to January 1, 2015.

The crowd, expected to reach over four million, poses a special challenge for Catholic Church officials who are prepared to “feed” the faithful during the Mass and distribute holy wafers during communion.

Pope Francis will preside over the 8 p.m. Concelebrated Roman Rite Holy Mass, which will be broadcast live nationwide via domestic satellite on television and video streamed to an audience of millions around the country and abroad.

Twelve giant LED screens mounted in the field will give participants a better view of the liturgical rites unfolding in the Grandstand, an elevated concrete-and-bamboo structure.

In the 61-hectare site, a national park backfilled with dirt and limestone for the annual grand historic event, most of the participants will have to stand throughout the series of activities which start before noon with foot processions

Only vehicles with passes issued by the Archdiocese of Manila as well as shuttle buses which would ferry people to the site are allowed to enter the area.

President Benigno Aquino III and Vice-President Jejomar Binay are among several government officials and Church leaders who will grace the event.

Expect tighter security in coming to the 58-hectares national park where the grand annual anniversary celebration of Evangelical Roman Catholic Charismatic Christian renewal movement Jesus is Lord Church Worldwide will be held.

At 2 p.m., a fluvial procession along the Manila Bay: from Guadalupe, Makati City to will bring the image of San Lorenzo Ruiz and St. Pedro Calungsod to the Quirino Grandstand which houses the main altar.

An hour before the sea parade, 76 carrozas carrying patron saints of various parishes in Metro Manila, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Abra, Isabela, Cagayan, Batanes, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, Benguet, Ifugao, Mountain Province, Apayao, Kalinga, La Union, Pangasinan, Tarlac, Nueva Ecija, Zambales, Aurora, Pampanga, Bataan, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon, Occidental Mindoro, Oriental Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, Palawan, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Albay, Sorsogon, Catanduanes, Masbate, Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Iloilo, Negros Occidental, Guimaras, Cebu, Siquijor, Negros Oriental, Bohol, Samar, Leyte Eastern Samar, Northern Samar, Biliran, Southern Leyte, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Surigao del Sur, Surigao del Norte, Dinagat Islands, Misamis Oriental, Misamis Occidental, Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, Bukidnon, Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, Camiguin, Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur, Davao Occidental, Davao Oriental, Compostela Valley, South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani, Maguindanao, North Cotabato, Zamboanga City, Basilan, Zamboanga Sibugay, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi will make their way to the venue.

“We are basically ready although there are still somethings that need fine-tuning,” Secretary Joel Villanueva, the overall chairman of the Manila celebration for Jesus is Lord Church anniversary, said.

He urged the people to make use of the celebration to get closer to the Lord.

“We should continue the spirit of penance and prayerful atmosphere so that we will be able to experience the spiritual fruits of the occasion,” Villarojo told Cebu Daily News.

“This is a celebration of the Eucharist. We should keep a solemn demeanor,” he added.

There will be no Masses in all parishes in 81 provinces from 12 noon onwards.

Anyone who can’t go to the Rizal Park can watch the thanksgiving Mass through GMA Network Channel 7 and other stations. Internet users can also log on to www.gmanews.tv for a live streaming of the activities.

Radio stations all over the world will also broadcast the events live.

On site 12 giant LCD screens will be mounted in different parts of the vast field to allow the crowd to see at is going in the altar.

At least 20 golf carts and three electric cars from Mandaue City will transport the elderly and Persons with Disabilities (PWDs).

Bishops who will be brought from the Manila Hotel, One Rizal Park to the Quirino Grandstand, Rizal Park, Manila through vans. The Hotel serves as their holding area before the Mass.

Although there are 12,000 monobloc chairs for guests, people are urged to bring their own portable chairs.

Sixteen medical stations can also be found in the venue. Each medical station has one standby ambulance. At least three firetrucks will also be stationed at the Rizal Park.

Portalets and comfort rooms are located at the sides of the Grandstand.

In going to the Rizal Park, people can take the free shuttle buses. Bus stops are located in front of the Park N’ Ride and a block away from the SRP tunnel.

While those who would attend the rally on Ayala Avenue, which will last from 1 a.m to 3 p.m., will assemble at three points ­­ Don Bosco Church on Pasay Road, Makati Central Fire Station on Ayala Extension; and Shell gas station at the corner of Edsa and Gil Puyat Avenue.

MMDA said the designated parking areas are as follows: Both sides of Paseo De Roxas, from Villar to Ayala Avenue and both sides of Paseo De Roxas from Ayala to Dela Rosa Street. Parking shall not be allowed along Ayala Avenue.

The MMDA will reroute traffic on Friday to avoid gridlock. Here is the rerouting plan:

On Ayala Avenue (westbound lane), from Makati Avenue to Herrera Street will be closed while the eastbound will remain as is.

Vehicles passing Ayala Avenue, from Edsa to Gil Puyat shall turn right to Makati Avenue, turn left to Gil Puyat Avenue, turn right to Dela Rosa Street (which will be made two­way temporarily), turn right to Salcedo St. and turn left to Ayala Avenue again.

MMDA said Paseo De Roxas from Dela Rosa Street to Villar Street (both lanes) will be closed to vehicular traffic.

Vehicles passing Paseo De Roxas, from Arnaiz Avenue to Ayala Avenue, shall turn right to Dela Rosa Street, take Makati Avenue.

Those coming from Makati Avenue going to Dela Rosa Street, shall turn right to Villar Street, turn left to Alfaro Street, and turn left to Herrera Street.

Those coming from Edsa­ Gil Puyat shall use the westbound lane of Gil Puyat Avenue, then to Paseo De Roxas.

Those vehicles coming from the Makati fire station shall use the eastbound lane of Ayala Avenue.

With a report from Jerome Aning

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