By Beatrice Puente
(June 9, 2022) – Filipinos have every right to peaceably assemble since it’s part of their constitutional right, a progressive group reminded on Thursday, criticizing the Philippine National Police (PNP) for barring so-called “illegal rallyists” near the inauguration of President-elect Bongbong Marcos Jr. on June 30.
Renato Reyes Jr., the secretary general of Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN), stressed there is no such thing as “illegal rallyists,” noting that the authorities only want to intimidate the people.
“It is important for people to be allowed to express themselves on inauguration day because there are so many issues plaguing the country today,” said Reyes on ABS-CBN News Channel’s Rundown. “People are well within their rights to express the issues that matter to them on the first day of office of Marcos.”
Marcos, the son and namesake of the late dictator, will take his oath at the National Museum of Fine Arts in Manila by the end of the month, succeeding President Rodrigo Duterte. At least 2,000 PNP personnel are expected to be deployed to ensure the peaceful and orderly conduct of the event.
Police Lt. Gen. Vicente Danao Jr., the PNP officer-in-charge, said they recognize the people’s right to freedom of expression but he urged them to just stay home and watch TV during the inauguration. Danao claimed that the people should give the next administration a chance to “prove themselves” as elected officials of the majority.
“Meron naman tayong tinatawag na freedom of expression, but nonetheless, let us be prudent enough to reflect, itong mga kabataan natin kasi ay naging biktima lang din,” said Danao. “May hangganan ‘yan, lalo na kung nanggugulo na kayo and you will be challenging the authority of the police.”
But Reyes noted that groups should not be restricted from holding protests no matter the situation. Under the law, he also pointed out that rallies can be allowed even without permits from local government units. Protests held in freedom parks require no permit, according to Batas Pambansa 880.
“Nobody wants to have people injured when they do their protest. We’re asking the police to respect the constitutional rights of the people to express themselves to peacefully assemble and address their grievances to the government,” said Reyes.
Just last May 25, the PNP used water cannon to disperse protesters who held a demonstration at Liwasang Diokno within the compound of the Commission on Human Rights (CHR). It alarmed the CHR, reminding law enforcers to exercise maximum tolerance when it comes to protests.
Reyes also urged authorities not to be fixated on demanding permits from protesters since they have the right to speak out. He further reiterated that democracy should also hear the demands of the opposition.
“Kailangan lang respetuhin ‘yung karapatan. Dahil ang demokrasya, hindi lang naman ‘yan para sa mga pumabor o umaayon sa gobyerno. ‘Yan din ay para sa mga tumutuligsa, sa mga hindi sumasang-ayon,” stressed Reyes.
(PM)
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