Malacanang keeps hopes high for peaceful labor day

Manila, Philippines---- Malacanang had been anticipating a peaceful labor day commemoration amidst rallies to be conducted, as a yearly vow of militant groups. Radio DWIZ interview quoted Press Secretary Cerge Remonde as saying that ‘the palace respects demonstrations, to be done by militant group members , because this is a part of ‘democracy.’

However Remonde was pleading to the militant members to make their rally as peaceful as possible--- stating that militants should make the rally peaceful so it won’t affect the country’s economy in lieu of the global slump.Remonde advised the demonstrators, to keep safe from expected ‘bad elements’ who will take advantage of the situation.

227 police personnel from northern Metro Manila before midnight Wednesday to hasten security in the coming Labor day demonstrations.

Radio DWIZ reported on Thursday that these men arrived in four trucks, -----where speculations rose that they are to secure ZTE witness Rodolfo Noel Lozada Jr. Lozada spent Wednesday night at the Manila Police District (MPD) headquarters' warrants section.

MPD Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit head Chief Inspector Dominador Arevalo cleared that the 220 police reinforcements were to be stationed for the coming Labor day activities.

Arevalo stated that they expect more reinforcements to arrive so they can prepare for Labor Day demonstrations and activities.

A planned torch run from the Trabajo Market in Manila to the Mabuhay Rotonda at the boundary of Manila and Quezon City will signify the militants' observance of Labor Day on Friday.

Workers will also march to the United States Embassy Friday evening as a part of their Labor Day activity, according to the militant labor group Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU).

KMU posted these information through their web site and detailed that the torch will be lighted at 5:30 a.m., and brought to Rotonda where it will be lighted on a big flame pot.

Groups are to conduct demonstration in Moriones Tondo, Blumentritt, Quirino, and España in the afternoon, before marching to the Liwasang Bonifacio in Manila.

KMU stated that the main program will be held at Liwasang Bonifacio from 4 p.m. to about 6:30 p.m., then the laborers will head to the US Embassy for a program.

Paula Isaiah L. Panganiban with reports from Judith Estrada-Larino and Edwin Eusebio, DWIZ NEWS