Tondo folk claim they were paid to join protest in Makati
MANILA, Philippines -- Contrary to claims that the takeover of the Manila Peninsula hotel was unplanned, four jeepneys filled with residents of Tondo, Manila, were about to proceed to the Makati hotel when they were stopped by police Thursday.
Manila Station 2 policemen said the group earlier claimed they were going to a funeral. However, it was later learned they were being recruited for what was supposed to be a new uprising.
Virginia Tutay of Isla Puting Bato and a member of the People's Movement Against Poverty (PMAP) admitted that they were contacted by the group's leaders days prior to the hotel takeover led by Senator Antonio Trillanes IV.
The PMAP is identified with deposed president Joseph Estrada.
Tutay said the recruits were paid P200 each while the jeepney owners received P700 to join the protest in Makati.
The Manila police will monitor any unauthorized mass gatherings especially near the area of Malacañang.
Manila Police District director, Chief Superintendent Roberto Rosales, said the police will conduct "Bantay Lansangan" (Street Watch) to prevent "unauthorized troop movement."
"It's possible that diversionary tactics may be employed by Trillanes' group so we will remain on red alert," he said, adding that police had received intelligence reports several days ago that Trillanes would create a "situationer" during his trial.
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