Protests to greet President Duterte in Cebu today
Militant groups will hit the streets today to demand regular jobs for Filipinos from President Duterte, who is expected to lead the government’s 116th Labor Day commemoration in Cebu City.
According to the Philippine Information Agency-7, Duterte will be at the IEC International Center Cebu (IC3) in Barangay Mabolo at around 10 a.m. today where he is expected to deliver his Labor Day speech.
Areas near the venue will be placed under strict security while nearby roads will be also closed.
During the program, Duterte is scheduled to award the ceremonial key to the pre-drawn winner of a house and lot courtesy of Pag-IBIG.
He also expected to grace the Trabaho, Negosyo at Pangkabuhayan and Jobs Business Fairs located at the same venue and award teaching kits to former Overseas Filipino Workers.
With Duterte are Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello, Trade and Industry Secretary Ramon Lopez, Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano, HMDF chief executive officer Ahcmad Rizaldy Moti, and Presidential Assistant for the Visayas Michael Lloyd Dino.
An estimated 4,000 people are expected to welcome the President and his party at the IC3, among them officials from the House of Representatives, senior labor officials, TESDA trainees, OFWs, labor union members, and industry tripartite council members.
In the streets, members of various labor groups, including Nagkaisa and Kilusang Mayo Uno, are set to hold rallies denouncing what they described as the administration's “broken promises” for the labor sector.
Some groups will start their protest near Gaisano South while others will converge across the Sto. Rosario Church on P. del Rosario Street.
These groups will then unite on Colon Street, particularly in front of Gaisano Metro, where they are set to hold a program.
Police, for their part, will dispatch a fully-equipped unit from the Civil Disturbance Management (CDM) team to control protesters.
Police Regional Office-7 Director Chief Superintendent Robert Quenery has ordered his men to exercise maximum tolerance when dealing with demonstrators. But he likewise appealed to cause-oriented groups not to obstruct highways and cause traffics.
“We encourage them to abide by the rules, and actions should be concentrated lang…so as not to disrupt traffic and allow smooth flow,” Quenery said.
Quenery said PRO-7 has been on full-alert status for the visit of the president since yesterday.
He has also required all police personnel, especially from the lower units, to be present today. Vacation leaves have been cancelled.
Cebu City Police Office Director Senior Superintendent Joel Doria has also directed all station commanders to deploy police personnel in all areas of convergence.
“Police visibility is a must for the upcoming celebration since we are expecting people from all walks of life to join rallies, assemblies or gatherings. CCPO is ready to secure the public,” Doria said in a press statement.