Police monitoring local groups to keep peace during Obama visit

CEBU, Philippines - While US President Barack Obama is setting foot only in the capital, local authorities are not taking any chances.

Regional Police Director Police Chief Superintendent  Danilo Constantino said they will keep an eye on groups that have the potential to stage rallies and perhaps disrupt the peace tomorrow.

“Lahat naman ng police units all over the country kahit na malayo siya sa Manila, ang babantayan lang naman natin ang mga planned rallies, eh… demonstrations ng mga sectoral groups,” Constantino said.

Only the National Capital Region will be on full alert status, he said. As of yesterday, nothing alarming surfaced here, he said.

. “Dito sa Central Visayas, mino-monitor natin kung ano ang effect ng visit niya… wala naman. Even yung mga plans ng sectoral groups, so far, wala tayong namo-monitor,” he narrated.

 â€œWala kaming information about any plan against the president of the United States,” he assured.

Obama is set to visit the Philippines tomorrow to complete his Asian tour. He will be coming from Japan to sign an agreement between the Philippines and the United States.

Palace officials are hoping that President Benigno Aquino III and Obama will sign the Enhanced Defense Cooperation agreement between the Philippines and the United States, although, it remains unclear whether the signing will indeed push through.

Herminio Coloma Jr., Communications Secretary, said in a press conference that the topics that would be discussed during the US President’s visit are rehabilitation of the Yolanda stricken areas, political and security cooperation, trade and investment expansions, and tourism and development cooperation.

President Aquino is expected to discuss the territorial dispute between the Philippines and China.

The US President is expected to arrive in the country on Monday afternoon and will be received by Aquino in Malcañan Palace for bilateral talks.

On the second day of his visit, Obama is expected to attend an engagement at the US Embassy and visit the World War II American cemetery in Taguig.  (FREEMAN)