RP police put on full alert

RP police put on full alert

MANILA (AFP): Philippine police went on full alert on the eve
of planned nationwide protests on Tuesday against President
Joseph Estrada's plans to rewrite the constitution, a police
spokesman said on Monday.

The government has granted permits for the protests, to be led
by the Roman Catholic church and leftist groups, but President
Joseph Estrada warned organizers to beware of communist guerrilla
trouble-makers "who have no other purpose but to sabotage the
economy".

All police leave was canceled and the 113,000-member force are
on call for the next 24 hours "to ensure the readiness of all
(Philippine National Police) personnel in securing the safety of
the people", police spokesman Superintendent Nicanor Bartolome
said.

About 7,000 policemen are assigned to maintain order on
Tuesday at a central Manila square where the leftists are to hold
a rally, and at a suburban Manila church where religious leaders
are to hold their prayer rally, he added.