Police step up security in Philippine capital ahead of protests

Manila - Philippine police went on alert Tuesday for a rally against efforts to amend the constitution, which critics warned were aimed at extending the term of scandal-tainted President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. More than 10,000 people were expected to attend the protest Wednesday in Makati City, Manila's financial district, organizers said. Senior Superintendent Leonardo Espina, national police spokesman, said the 15,000-strong Manila police force has been placed on heightened alert to ensure that the rally would be peaceful and orderly. 'Our main concern is the great possibility that the mass action will be infiltrated by saboteurs, terrorists, dissidents and troublemakers,' he said. 'We will be on the lookout for these infiltrators and will undertake the necessary actions.' Espina said police would set up checkpoints on highways leading to Makati from surrounding provinces to check the movement of such people. The military also placed its civil disturbance management units on standby to help police if they were needed, the armed forces chief of staff, General Victor Ibrado, said. The rally, being organized by several leftist groups and civil-society organizations, is to protest a House of Representatives resolution calling for the chamber to be turned into a constituent assembly to draft amendments to the 1987 constitution. The resolution ignores the Senate's opposition to moves to amend the constitution. Senators have warned they would challenge the House in the Supreme Court if it continues with its steps. Critics are opposed to amending the constitution with less than a year before presidential and national elections in May 2010. Some alleged that the efforts to change the charter were aimed at postponing the vote next year to allow Arroyo to cling to power. Arroyo, perceived as the most corrupt president the Philippines has ever had, according to a December public opinion survey, has vowed that the elections would be held next year despite moves by her allies to amend the constitution.