Security preps for anti-pork rally in Makati set

MANILA, Philippines - The Makati City Police said they are  ready to secure  the corner of Paseo de Roxas and Ayala Avenue where an anti-pork barrel rally will be held Friday.

Makati City Police chief, Sr. Supt. Manuel Lukban, said 300 police officers will be deployed at the site to ensure that the activity will be held peacefully.

"We are ready. We will be initially deploying around 300 personnel," he said.

Organizers of the anti-pork barrel rally earlier said they expect more taxpayers to attend following the recent revelations uncovered in the pork barrel scam.

Junep Ocampo, one of the organizers of the "Ayala Tayo" rally said they expect more to attend today's event in the wake of what Senator Jinggoy Estrada had revealed in his privilege speech on the pork scam.

"Filpinos are now more angry at what is happening. There is nothing new with these protests. But there are new revelations that now make prople angry. Mas maraming taxpayers ang pupunta," said Ocampo.

Ocampo said the rally will be held infront of the statue of the late Senator Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino at the corner of Ayala Avenue and Paseo de Roxas.

Ocampo said those attending the rally should begin assembling at around 3 p.m. He said there will be informal small group gatherings between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m.

"We want to give all groups the chance to gather. Like what we did in 'Sa EDSA Tayo"' and at the 'Luneta Tayo' we will all be learning and praying," he said.

"This will be a sharing of experiences on the pork barrel," he added.

Ocampo said that while they are gunning for one million people to attend the rally, the number of attendees is not important.

"It is just perception. We are not after the numbers. It  is a gathering to show an occasion where Pinoys can express their outrage against the pork barrel," he said.

Ocampo said they have been given a permit by the Makati City Hall to occupy both lanes of Paseo de Roxas from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. Makati City's Department of Public Safety will be diverting traffic away from the rally area.