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Saturday, February 25, 2006
Coup jitters hardly felt in Cebu, say cops
Surprised by the events in Manila, Cebu Archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal urged President Arroyo to show her leadership and appealed to the people to stay calm.
“Let us stay calm, which is required of the situation and then not commit any mistake that will result to violence,” the archbishop said over ABS-CBN TV Patrol last night.
Unlike Manila, however, Cebu went on with its usual business and barely felt tension yesterday.
Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia criticized leaders of anti-Arroyo rallies in Manila: “The world is watching us now in turmoil. We used to be so proud of our people power. Karun, nagpakauwaw lang na sila. How dare they speak for us.”
The governor trusts the “good judgment” of the President in putting the country under a state of national emergency, saying Arroyo is “in the best position” to know what needs to be done.
The National Vice Mayors’ League (NVML), with its 1,616 members, also issued a statement to “denounce and condemn extra-constitutional processes of changing the government.”
Tolerance
NVML secretary-general Ronald Carcellar of Poro, Camotes, Cebu said their group came out with the statement right after receiving word about the President’s declaration.
Although the Cebu City Police Office was forced to send a crowd dispersal management team to the Malacañang in the South—amid reports of 300 demonstrators assembling in the area—there were no clashes.
Supt. Melvin Gayotin said they always exercise maximum tolerance and assured Cebuanos that as long as demonstrators do not force their way through the gates, they can go on with their protest.
Police Regional Office (PRO) 7 Director Eduardo Gador also said the people have the right to express their opinions and that the police in the region respect this right.
In a radio interview yesterday morning, Gador said the cause-oriented groups can continue to hold demonstrations, as long as they do it peacefully and do not block the roads.
However, with the declaration of a state of emergency, Gador said licensed gun-holders will not be allowed to carry firearms, even those with permits.
No permit
The Mandaue City Government will also not grant any permits to rally, as Mayor Thadeo Ouano said they have “unwavering support” for the President.
“Let us not be distracted by the selfish acts of some individuals whose only purpose is to grab power,” Ouano said in a statement.
The Mandaue police was ordered to tighten security in public buildings.
Supt. Gayotin and Lt. Col. Jefferson Omandam of the Central Command (Centcom) confirmed they were already on red alert, but said this was not because of the incidents in Manila.
Gayotin told reporters yesterday that the upgrading of the alert status was ordered since 5 p.m. last Wednesday, in light of the 20th anniversary of Edsa 1 and the celebration of Cebu City’s Charter Day.
Centcom officials said that all their soldiers are behind the chain of command.
“We will just go on with our mandate to conduct internal security operations within our area of responsibility,” Omandam said.
Tighter
The PRO 7, through Regional Operations and Plans Division head, Senior Supt. Carmelo Valmoria, issued a memorandum yesterday reminding all provincial and city police directors and chiefs of the Regional Mobile Group of the full alert status.
“Everybody is enjoined to step up your security measures in your respective areas of responsibility,” the memorandum read.
Both Centcom and PRO 7 have not monitored officers or units that have joined or sympathize with the plot to overthrow the Arroyo government. (MEA/With AIV/JPM/LCR/AAG)
For Bisaya stories from Cebu. Click here. (February 25, 2006 issue)
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