Militants try last-minute pre-SONA rallies near Aquino home in QC

Militant groups made last-minute attempts on Monday to defy the no-rally rule near President Benigno Simeon Aquino III's Quezon City home, but were thwarted in their initial attempts.

Radio dzBB’s Allan Gatus reported that a group of militant students tried to jog near Aquino's Time Street home but Quezon City police blocked their path.

"Commit emergency bonds to education! ... Regulate tuition and fee increases!" read makeshift messages posted on their shirts, according to a separate report on dwIZ radio.

The students were from the National Union of Students of the Philippines, League of Filipino Students and College Editors Guild of the Philippines, the report said.

Unable to get near Aquino’s house, the protesters resorted to stationary jogging and stretching in front of the police, the report said.

The morning activity of the protesters came hours ahead of Aquino's State of the Nation Address later in the afternoon at the Batasan Pambansa complex in Quezon City.

Since last week, Quezon City police had declared Aquino's house a no-rally zone.

Meanwhile, security was likewise tightened around Malacañang, according to a report by dzBB’s Carlo Mateo.

The report said the Manila Police District ordered personnel to coordinate with presidential guards in making sure protesters do not sneak into the Palace compound.

Source: GMaNews