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Friday, September 30, 2005
Tomas, police ‘tolerant’ on protest rallies
The local police and Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña will put up with anti-Arroyo rallies as long as these will not inconvenience the public.
Different cause-oriented groups under the Coalition of Cebuanos Against Gloria described as repressive the “no permit, no rally” order of President Arroyo and vowed to continue their protests.
Police Regional Office (PRO) 7 Director Eduardo Gador said he has received a directive from Camp Crame to follow the new policy on the calibrated preemptive response (CPR) against rallies.
Under the CPR, street protests will be dispersed unless rallyists have permits.
However, Gador said they may be lenient in implementing the policy since protesters in Cebu and in other places in the region are aware of their limitations and are open to talks with the police during mass actions.
“They are reasonable. Madala ra man og istorya. They are quite cooperative,” Gador said.
Acting Cebu City Melvin Gayotin, in an earlier interview, expressed the same stand as Gador.
Warning
For his part, Mayor Osmeña said he is willing to allow militant groups to hold a rally even without a permit from City Hall.
The mayor warned, though, that he will take action against protesters when they start to cause trouble or obstruct traffic in the streets.
“If the public is already inconvenienced by even just 10 people blocking the way, then I have to do something. We can only tolerate it up to a certain point,” he told a news conference yesterday.
Gador also reminded the cause-oriented organizations and militant groups to respect other people’s rights.
“If they don’t obstruct traffic, then they can scream and shout all they want until their faces turn blue,” Mayor Osmeña said.
Right
Bayan Muna, White Ribbon Movement Cebu, Gloria Step Down Movement and Bangon Pilipinas held a press conference yesterday with House Minority Floor Leader Francis Escudero.
Paul Rodriguez and Judy Aguilar of Bayan Muna said the “no permit, no rally” policy violates the people’s right to a peaceful assembly.
The Arroyo administration came up with the CPR policy following several rallies calling for the President’s ouster over allegations that she cheated to win in last year’s elections.
The President earlier said the demonstrations have hampered activities in the financial district of Makati City, where rallyists usually gather.
Arroyo has also issued a “gag order” against government and military officials. She wants them to get her permission before appearing in any congressional inquiry.
The opposition plans to fight this latest move by the President. (JST/LCR/AIV)
(September 30, 2005 issue)
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