MANILA, Philippines ? While farmers and other militants marched from the Department of Agrarian Reform in Quezon City to Mendiola Bridge in Manila Friday morning, a pastor preached to civil disturbance management (CDM) police, reminding them to let cooler heads prevail.

Pastor Felix Rapas lectured the phalanx of men from the Manila Police District and Regional Mobile Group positioned at the historic bridge, before they geared up for the rally commemorating the 23rd anniversary of the Mendiola massacre.

Superintendent Jimmy Tiu, MPD Station 8 commander, said the lecture was intended to remind the CDM contingents to keep their tempers in check while confronting the activists. He explained it was part of the Philippine National Police's moral recovery program but said it was the first time it was held before a rally at the bridge.