Lawyers face off with Shrine cops

Anti-riot policemen and group made mostly made up of lawyers and students, headed by former Vice President Teofisto Guingona, figured in a 30-minute standoff yesterday at the EDSA Shrine in Mandaluyong City.

Guingona, former Senator Rene Saguisag and former Solicitor General Frank Chavez led a march on EDSA to protest the declaration of a national state of emergency, which had been lifted shortly before noon by President Arroyo.

"Nag-lightning rally sila. Mabuti’t maagap kami at hindi sila nakapasok mismo sa EDSA Shrine," said Superintendent Ericson Velasquez, Mandaluyong City police chief.

According to Velasquez, some 700 marchers carrying banners suddenly showed up near the EDSA Shrine at about 11:30 a.m. yesterday.

Thirty minutes earlier, President Arroyo lifted the Presidential Proclamation 1017 upon the advise of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP).

However, before Guingona and his followers could reach the EDSA Shrine, they were blocked by Velasquez and at least 100 anti-riot policemen.

Velasquez explained to Guingona and the lawyers that EDSA Shrine was a "no rally" zone and that they would not be allowed inside.

Fr. Vic Apacible, rector of the Shrine, also showed up and politely told Guingona and the rallyists that they were not allowed to stage a protest inside because it would desecrate the place.

"We cannot allow you here. If we allow you, then we will allow everybody to stage rallies here," Apacible told the former vice president.

Guingona requested that they be given several minutes to allow rally leaders to give speeches, which the police chief granted.

After the speeches, Guingona and his group peacefully dispersed.

"Wala naman talagang gulo. Pero tulad ng dating mga rally dito, hindi talaga nawala ang tulakan," Velasquez said.

He said the deployment of anti-riot policemen to the EDSA Shrine would continue to prevent protesters from conducting "lightning rallies" at the site. — Non Alquitran