As Supporters Gather,Security Tightens at Capitol Grounds

PNoy expected to arrive at 7 tonight

Hundreds of supporters of the Bando Osmeña Pundok-Kauswagan-Liberal Party have already arrived at the Cebu Provincial Capitol grounds at 4 o’clock in the afternoon today (April 19, 2013) for them to attend the political rally of Liberal Party and to listen to the speeches of its senatorial candidates.

Those passenger vehicles from Lahug that usually passes by in front of the Capitol were diverted to Gorordo Avenue and right turn to General Maxilom Avenue to Fuente Osmeña rotunda, and then proceed to downtown area and vice versa.

Private vehicles are allowed to enter Escario Street from Gorordo Avenue, but they could no longer be allowed to proceed to the direction of the Capitol building and the drivers are ordered to make a left turn to Juana Osmeña Street.

Those Guadalupe-bound vehicles coming from the downtown area are advised to pass through B. Rodriguez Street upon reaching Fuente Osmeña because they could no longer make left turn upon reaching in front of the Capitol building.

Several members of the Presidential Security Group (PSG) and police personnel from the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) and other police and military intelligence units are helping with each other conducting surveillance operation within the Capitol premises.

Bomb-sniffing dogs are also being used to help the authorities look for possible explosives, particularly at the rally site, where the senatorial candidates under the Liberal Party are scheduled to deliver their speeches.

President Benigno Simeon Aquino III is expected to deliver his speech to the crowd at about 7 o’clock because he will also be attending to the dinner and meeting with local LP leaders at the Capitol social hall.

Agents of the Land Transportation Office (LTO) and its enforcement arm, Task Force Alpha, are also helping to maintain traffic within the nearby roads, in coordination with the local traffic enforcers.

Cebu City South District Rep. Tomas R. Osmeña said President Aquino will formally endorse the candidacy of all BOPK candidates from mayor, vice mayor, congressmen and councilors.

Osmeña, however, said that the BOPK candidates will not be allowed to speak during the rally, except those new candidates for councilors who will be tasked to introduce the LP senatorial candidates.

Meanwhile,reelectionist Mayor Michael Rama said he will no longer pursue his earlier plan to assist the enforcers in manning the traffic within the Capitol grounds, but said “Magmonitor lang ta sa sitwasyon.”