Police keep pro-impeachment groups at bay

MANILA, Philippines—Hours away from the opening of the impeachment trial of Department of Justice Chief Renato Corona Monday, various pro-impeachment groups led by Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) have started trooping to the Senate of the Philippines building along Roxas Boulevard in Pasay City, but police forces were seen prepared to maintain order and keep protestors from reaching the Senate office.

Bayan Secretary General Renato Reyes said that the impeachent trial should serve its principal purpose which is “to exact accountability from the Chief Justice, help in the prosecution of [former president Gloria Macapagal] Arroyo, and expose the corruption and misdeeds in the judiciary.*
“Sinusuportahan namin ito para mapanagot hindi lamang si Corona, kundi si Arroyo dahil s’ya naman ang puno’t dulo nito (We’re supporting this impeachment trial to make not only Corona but Arroyo accountable for these misdeeds),” he said.
Militant groups are currently holding their program at the middle of the two police checkpoints manned by several officers. Reyes said that they will still try to reach the building even as doing so will be a challenge for them.

He said that they will end their program a little past noon to give their members a chance to watch the live coverage of the Senate hearing at 2 p.m.

Special Action Force team leader Superintendent Ronnie Aurellano said that there are around 88 full-geared SAF officers manning the second checkpoint nearest to the Senate gate.