Saturday, November 11, 2006
Compact of cooperation for the 12th Asean summit
By Dossier
(This agreement was signed by Cebu City Police Office Director Melvin Gayotin, Cebu Provincial Police Office Director Vicente Loot, Col. Jefferson Omandam and Col. Romeo Gapuz of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Bimbo Fernandez of the Cebu City Government, Alejandro Alonso of the Commission for Human Rights, Akbayan Party-list, Akbayan Youth, Center for Participatory Governance, Alliance of Progressive Labor, Bisig, Olot Palme International Center and Forge Inc.)
Whereas, the 12th Asean summit is a significant occasion where the development direction of nations in the region will be determined,
Whereas, the agreements that will be decided in this summit will impact on the lives of people across Asean,
Whereas, people need to make their views and hopes heard, and participate, in this process,
Whereas, the Philippine Constitution provides for the sacred and absolute right of every citizen to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression,
Whereas, these inalienable rights are superior to local government decrees and ordinances that seemingly restrict the exercise of such rights,
Whereas, the issue of security and preparedness for any terrorist disruption of the summit are serious considerations of our government,
Whereas, these concerns should not sacrifice people's constitutional rights,
Recognizing these as truths, we thereby resolve to uphold with conviction the cooperation among ourselves for the peaceful and participatory conduct of the Asean summit and the parallel gathering of civil society.
For the sake of our people, the people of the Asean community and our collective future, we will abide by this compact.
For Bisaya stories from Cebu. Click here. (November 11, 2006 issue)
Write letter to the editor.Click here.
Join the Sun.Star message board.Click here. |
