Anti-riot cops stop protesters on Commonwealth Avenue

MANILA, Philippines - A phalanx of policemen along Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City on Monday prevented hundreds of protesters from marching toward the Batasan Pambansa complex, where President Aquino will deliver his 4th State of the Nation Address in the afternoon.

With the help of barbed wires looped around steel barricades, concrete barriers and large steel containers, policemen from the National Capital Region Police Office and Quezon City Police District kept the militants at bay.

The protesters stopped their march near the Ever Gotesco mall area, where they set up a makeshift stage and held a program.

Meanwhile, traffic along the southbound lane of Commonwealth Avenue has started to build up as authorities restricted it into a two-way traffic.