1,000 women march to Mendiola for Reproductive Health bill

MANILA, Philippines. — About 1,000 women staged a rally Tuesday in Manila in support of the Reproductive Health Bill, authorities said.

Carrying placards urging legislators to “Vote for the RH bill”, the women marched towards Mendiola Street, near Malacanang, shortly after 10 a.m., momentarily blocking traffic in the area, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority said.

A policeman who requested anonymity because he wasn’t authorized to speak to the media said the marchers have a rally permit.

He said that around 200 policemen were deployed to maintain security in the area.

Police said they were assured by the rallyists that their program won’t take long.