Palace braces for more anti-Obama protests

MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang said security measures are now being prepared for the visit of United States President Barack Obama on April 28 and 29.

Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said security preparations are also being carried out for mass actions that would be held by militant groups opposing the American leader.

"There would be people who would be staging protests and rallies. We expected this," Lacierda said in a televised press briefing on Thursday.

Lacierda said as the host country, the Philippines will extend "grace and hospitality" to the American visitors next week.

"We are preparing, as we would prepare (for) any visiting head of state. They are here as our guests, and as host, we will provide them the necessary security," the Palace official said.

On Wednesday, police armed with truncheons, shields and a fire hose clashed with more than 100 left-wing activists who rallied at the U.S. Embassy in Manila to oppose Obama's visit.

The authorities blocked the flag-waving activists near the heavily fortified embassy compound but the protesters slipped past them, sparking a brief scuffle.

According to an Associated Press report, the police sprayed the protesters with water from a fire truck to push them away.

A police officer, meanwhile, was punched in the face in the melee but no arrests were made.

Some of the protesters carried paper U.S. flags with the message: "Obama, not welcome."

Obama arrives in Manila on Monday for an overnight stop after visiting Japan, South Korea and Malaysia on an Asian trip in which he is expected to reassure allied nations involved in a long-standing territorial disputes with an increasingly assertive China. - with the Associated Press