Streets near Manila’s Rizal Park closed to traffic for Million People March

MANILA, Philippines—The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority said portions of Roxas Boulevard like Kalaw, Katigbak, and P. Burgos streets will be closed to traffic on Monday to give way to the Million People March at Manila’s Rizal Park.

Monday’s march on Rizal Park is expected to draw people from all walks of life and of all political persuasions.

The 18,000-strong National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) is on full alert for the Monday rally, with thousands of policemen deployed to provide security across the metropolis.

Senior Supt. Reuben Theodore Sindac, spokesman for the Philippine National Police, said the 2,500-strong Manila Police District had been placed under full alert, the equivalent of red alert in the military, since Saturday.

Netizens angry at the misuse of state funds called the march to force the abolition of all lump-sum appropriations in the budget, not just the itemization of the pork barrel in the budget.

Besides keeping peace and order, the policemen were tasked with ensuring the orderly flow of traffic around the vicinity of the park, he said.