MANILA, Philippines — Classes in Manila have been suspended and the local police rerouted traffic as groups – both militants and supporters of President Duterte – are set to hold rallies today to mark the 46th year since the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos declared martial law.
Mayor Joseph Estrada yesterday suspended classes in all levels today following a report by the Manila Police District (MPD) of rallies that will be held in the city.
“As a remedial measure to ensure the safety and security of the public, specifically the students, the MPD has recommended the suspension of classes,” he said in his executive order.
MPD director Chief Superintendent Rolando Anduyan told The STAR that they have not monitored any specific threat but recommended the suspension so the students will not be inconvenienced by the traffic jams caused by the rallies.
Director Guillermo Eleazar, National Capital Region Police Office chief, said pro-Duterte groups would use P. Burgos street while matching to their designated rally site, Burnham Green – the open area in front of the Quirino Grandstand.
Militant groups will use T.M. Kalaw street to march to their rally site, the grandstand itself, he said.
Both lanes of Roxas Boulevard, from Katigbak Drive to Quirino Avenue; the eastbound lane of T.M. Kalaw from Ma. Orosa to Taft Avenue; the westbound lane of T.M. Kalaw, from M.H. del Pilar to Roxas Boulevard and the service road of Roxas Boulevard at the corner of United Nations Avenue will be closed starting at 6 a.m. today.
Motorists coming from the Delpan Bridge-Pier Zone intending to use Roxas Boulevard’s southbound lane should turn left on P. Burgos to their point of destination.
Motorists using the westbound lane of T.M. Kalaw going to Roxas Boulevard should turn left on M.H. del Pilar to their point of destination.
Those coming from Mabini taking the eastbound lane of T.M. Kalaw going to Taft Avenue should turn left on Ma. Orosa, while motorists coming from the southern part of Manila using the northbound lane of Roxas Boulevard should turn right on Quirino to their point of destination.
Meanwhile, all cargo trucks travelling on Osmeña Highway should turn right on Quirino Avenue, straight to Nagtahan, A.H. Lacson, Yuseco and cross Jose Abad Santos straight to Raxabago and Capulong to their point of destination.
All cargo trucks using the southbound route coming from Pier should take the northbound lane of Road-10 then turn right on Capulong, straight to Yuseco, A.H. Lacson to their point of destination.