Wednesday, December 06, 2006 Peaceful and orderly, or so Bayan tells Tomas about their protests
THEIR idealism and stand on certain issues may be different but police and militant groups have agreed on one goal—to make the Asean summit peaceful and successful.
The cause-oriented groups promised they will abide by their “gentlemen’s agreement” with Cebu City Hall and police officials that they will hold non-violent protest actions as they gather for their own summit starting this Sunday.
Both parties met Monday night in Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña’s house to establish communication lines and to clarify the positions.
“There will be no provocation on our part. We not allow unruly behavior because we do not want anyone to get hurt,” said Arman Perez, Bayan Muna Cebu secretary-general.
He said Bayan Muna members and those of allied organizations will police their ranks and will not taunt or test the patience of the police tasked to secure the Asean summit.
Present during the meeting were Camp Crame’s Director General Isidro Lapeña, Police Regional Office (PRO) 7 Director Silverio Alarcio, Senior Supt. Lani-o Nerez, Supt. Melvin Gayotin, Supt. Mariano Natu-el, Supt. Pablo Labra II, and Col. Romeo Gapuz of the Central Command.
Vince Cinches of Pamana, Glemar Bacusmo of the Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas, Dennis Abarrientos of Karapatan, Victor Lapaz of Pamalakaya were also there.
City Councilor Augustus Pe Jr. and City Protocol Officer Nagiel Bañacia were likewise present.
Perez said most of their activities are indoors and protest actions are done only in Cebu City, away from summit venues.
He hopes the PNP will also keep their promise of maximum tolerance instead of the earlier threat of strictly implementing the “no permit, no rally” policy.
As is his rule, Mayor Tomas Osmeña does not require groups to secure a permit to hold rallies and demonstrations as long as they will not disturb the peace.
Militant organizations nationwide are converging in Cebu City to hold an Asean People’s Camp and Week of Action on Dec. 9 to 13.
Among others, they will discuss the extra-judicial killings that have claimed the lives of at least 175 persons, Perez said.
PRO 7 Director Alarcio is firm that militant groups will not be allowed to hold protests without permits.
“The policy is no permit, no rally. We are to exercise maximum tolerance. We will abide by these policies,” Alarcio said.
He reiterated that there is nothing wrong with expressing themselves as long as the groups do not disrupt the summit.
Alarcio, who heads Task Force Cebu, said he has not learned of any request for permits yet.
“If they violate what we agreed on, security forces will be ready to ensure that the summit will be successful,” Alarcio said in yesterday’s 888 Forum.
But the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) 7 condemned the “no permit, no rally” policy because the right to assemble is sacred.
Speaking before the Association of Government Information Officers Forum yesterday, CHR 7 Director Alejandro Alonso reminded national and local officials as well as the police and military that Batas Pambansa 880 or Public Assembly Act of 1985 does not prohibit the holding of rallies.
Alarcio pointed out that Batas Pambansa 880 states that a permit is needed to hold rallies.
He said that if the local government unit fails to act on the application for permit after three days, it is as good as approved.
Cebu City Police Director Gayotin told reporters yesterday that militant groups have agreed not to hold rallies within the ceremonial routes of the Asean delegates and heads of state.
Senior Insp. Catalino Nacario, chief of the Guadalupe Police Station was designated as the middleman between the police and the militant groups.
Gayotin also said that the militant groups have been told that foreign delegates may be allowed to speak during forum but are discouraged from joining street protests.
He said the police will arrest foreigners who will be found take part in rallies as this violates their Philippine visa.
For his part, Asean summit spokesperson Victoriano Lecaros said no country issues visas “for purposes of holding a rally.”
“The Philippines is one of the most hospitable countries even to those people who want to throw a wrench or who want to make a mess out of the arrangements that had already been made,” he said.
“We’re not saying that the government has a monopoly of patriotism.
Certainly not. Those people who don’t agree with their government also love their country. However, we can thresh out our disagreements in a civilized and civil manner. You can disagree but don’t be disagreeable,” Lecaros said.
“It is not illegal to disagree with the Philippine Government. It is not illegal to disagree with our leaders. However, it is illegal to create disorder,” he added.
As to the security preparations, Alarcio said everything is now in place and that all they are doing now is rehearsing their coordination.
Today, the arrival of several ministers will signal the start of the task force’s duties.
Asked if security cameras have been installed along ceremonial routes Alarcio could only say, “I hope.”
Senior Supt. Lani-o Nerez, deputy regional director for operations, said they have yet to inspect these cameras and decide where to have these installed.
They are just waiting for plans to be finalized.
The Department of Public Works and Highways is handling the acquisition of the surveillance cameras.
Alario said if the plan pushes through, the cameras will be better than those they used during the All Saints’ Day.
The cameras will be installed along the ceremonial routes so that traffic can be monitored from the tactical operations center. (RHM/JST/MEA/EOB)
