Philippine anti-government protesters started their rally Monday afternoon along Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City, Metro Manila, which leads to the Batasang Pambansa Complex where president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is scheduled to deliver her State of the Nation Address (SONA) hours later.

More than 15,000 protesters were seen gathering in the area, according to local radio reports. The protesters call for Arroyo's resignation, among whom are sympathizers of Fernando Poe Jr., the late movie star and presidential candidate lost in last year's election.

Some protesters hold banners calling for the resignation of both Arroyo and her vice president Noli de Castro and the establishment of a transitional governing council.

Police put up layers of barricades to prevent all protesters from getting near the Batasan. Barbed wires, container vans, and garbage trucks were placed on the entire lane leading to the Batasan.

On the session of the congress Monday, Arroyo is scheduled to deliver her SONA at 4:00 p.m., while her oppositions have filed new impeachment complaint against her, which is seen as on top agenda of the session.

Source: Xinhua