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Saturday, February 25, 2006
Cagayan de Oro cops disperse rally
By Lizanilla J. Amarga and Joey P. Nacalaban
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY -- The rally in commemoration of Edsa 1 here Friday was marred, with police barring local militant leaders from using the City's Kiosko sa Kagawasan, Divisoria Park and attempting to disperse hundreds of protesters.
The militant groups condemned "in the strongest terms possible" the move, believing declaration of a state of emergency is illegal and a manifestation of how President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is "politically weak and is facing her downfall."
The groups also vow to continue their call for Arroyo's ouster amid the above declaration.
No person was injured or arrested during the police intervention Friday.
But opposition leader City Councilor Zaldy Ocon believes that Cagayan de Oro City Police Director Aurelio Trampe cannot be blamed.
"Ang Demokrasya patay na. Pero Colonel Trampe cannot be blamed as he is only following order from his superior...Surely democracy in our country is already dead," he said.
According to Trampe, before 1:00 p.m., when the groups were set to hold their rally, he relayed to local militant groups that Mayor Vicente Emano has withdrawn the permit to rally that he earlier issued to them.
He said Emano's withdrawal was made in light of Arroyo's declaration that effectively bans the holding of rallies anywhere in the country.
"They (militant groups) were given prior warning but they insisted on holding the rally," he told Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro.
Negotiations
When the militant groups arrived at the City Kiosk, police officers barred protesters from using the facility.
Because of this, the rallyists used the space below the City Kiosk and held there their program, which included speeches by leaders.
The police officers at that time attempted to disperse the rallyists but after some negotiations, Trampe allowed them to continue their activity until around 3:30 p.m.
"But they were no longer using the City's Kiosk and at around 3:30 to 4:00 we dispersed their group," he said.
The demonstration Friday was led by Bayan Muna and the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan in Northern Mindanao together with the Union of Peoples' Lawyers in Mindanao (UPLM), and Ecumenical Movement for Moral Regeneration (EMMR).
The Gloria Step Down Movement (GSM), Rural Movement for the Ouster of Gloria (Remove), Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan), Youth for the Ouster of Gloria (You Go!), Urban Poor for Gloria's Ouster (UPGO), Bayan Muna, Anakpawis, Karapatan, and Gabriela Women's Party (GWP) also joined the rally.
From 10:00 a.m. to noontime, groups assembled in different areas: Capitol Grounds, Makro, and in front of the Mindanao Polytechnic State College.
They started their march towards the Kiosko sa Kagawasan at noon.
Declaration
GSM and Gabriela lawyer Beverly Musni said, "We condemn in the strongest term the attempt of the state through PNP Superintendent Trampe, Chief Inspector Montalba, and his men to disperse the people's protest against GMA's declaration of a State of emergency."
"It is an open attack on the Philippine Constitution and an attempted murder of our fundamental freedoms to peaceful assembly and expression. The people of Misamis Oriental should resist at all cost the return of Martial Law."
You Go! spokesperson Kristine Lim said they were there when the police intervened in their exercise of their right to assemble.
"It is but a reaction to GMA's State of Emergency Declaration. We were allowed to continue peacefully since we have permit," she said.
"However, we condemn the act as an act of state terrorism. This is already undeclared Martial Law. We have yet to plan our next moves."
Former city councilor and opposition leader Bob Ocio said, "Superintendent Trampe took over the rally state this afternoon based on a verbal order from Emano who cancelled the permit he issued invoking the no rally order of GMA."
"I told him that such an order was illegal and hence he will be responsible for such acts. The martial law of suppression."
No basis
Ocio said what happened was actually a "victory" as Trampe "realized that he was facing a people ready to exercise their rights."
"And the State of Emergency has no basis to trample our rights. I told Trampe to disobey the unlawful order of his commander-in-chief and to disarm all policemen who attempted to stop the rally. He did and I thanked him," he said.
Kilusang Mayo Uno local spokesperson Ryan Guerrero said they had a permit from the Mayor's Office.
"They don't have the right to curtail the freedom of speech and the right to concerted action. Clearly, nagpamatuod na kung asa sila dapig. Essentially they are protecting GMA to desperately stay in power," he said.
"Despite this, we still finished the program at Kiosk. Wala mi nila mapugni. No State of Emergency can stop us, the people."
Anakbayan spokesperson Ismael Magbanua said, "Yes, ang declaration ni GMA sa State of Emergency nagpasabot kini nga mao nani nga panahon para mohimo iya term."
He added that the police officers also brought short and long firearms but took out their nametags. (Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro)
(February 25, 2006 issue)
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