Manila police deployed to secure palace on Aquino’s birthday

MANILA, Philippines—As President Benigno Aquino III celebrates his birthday Wednesday, Manila police officers have been deployed along Mendiola Street to provide security amid possible protests.

A Manila Police District officer who refused to be named said that 75 cops from police stations 8, 11, 2 and District Public Safety Battalion were deployed to secure the vicinity of the Malacanang Palace.

He said that as of posting time, around 60 protestors from different militant groups trooped to Mendiola Street for their rally. However, police said that they do not expect the crowd to grow further.