Protesters sing wrath, march vs PNoy

MANILA, Philippines - Layers of human and physical barriers were placed in between the protesters' post and the policemen's as they face off during the annual street protests coinciding with President Aquino's State of the Nation Address (SONA).

These barriers prevent the rallyists from breaking out of their assigned spot in front of Ever Gotesco Mall Commonwealth.

The barriers installed by the policemen consist of four rows of concrete barriers with barbed wires and a row of container vans, said Superintendent Dionisio Bartolome of the Quezon City Police District

Scores of policemen were also positioned in between and after the container vans.

Quezon City Police District Director Chief Superintendent Richard Alabano said the police will maintain a policy of maximum tolerance toward the protesters as the latter express their grievances against the Aquino administration.

Albano appealed to the protesters to maintain order, saying it was in the best interest of both the protesters and the policemen to avoid any confrontation.

Meanwhile, hours before the State of the Nation Address, a group of militants used songs as a way of expressing their resentment of President Aquino.

The protesters sang Tagalog songs with lyrics that criticized the Aquino government.

Lina De Guzman of the group Manggagawang Pangkultura Mula sa Timog Katagalugan said they were artists who believe that art should  improve the welfare of the people.

De Guzman said their songs were voices for the farmers, oppressed and other progressive groups.

They used guitar and a couple of rattles while they sang, forming a small circle in the middle of the crowd before proceeding to the main event.

These musical protests took place before the main contingent of militants arrived along Commonwealth Avenue.  - Eulisa Espanola and Regina Francisco