ILOILO City – The Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO) vowed to arrest and jail people holding rallies today, the 122nd Philippine Independence Day.
ICPO director Police Colonel Eric Dampal cited the Department of Justice’s position that the holding of rallies are “temporarily banned” during quarantine to avoid direct transmission of the coronavirus disease 2019.
“I advise those planning to hold rallies not to insist. We would strictly enforce the prohibition on any form of mass gathering during Independence Day,” said Dampal.
Today, the ICPO will be deploying policemen to the streets. Dampal said Civil Disturbance Management personnel will be on the lookout for groups massing up.
“Pakiusap ko sa mga militant groups na sundin na lang natin ang order para maiwasan ang gulo. Sundin natin ang social distancing,” said Dampal.
The ICPO chief also said militant groups could be using today’s celebration to protest against the Anti-Terrorism Bill.
“Talagang expect natin, pero naka-alert tayo,” he said.
The Movement Against Tyranny Panay is spearheading today what it calls a “Mañanita Kontra Terorismo” to mark Independence Day and oppose the Anti-Terrorism Bill.
“The bill aims to give the executive branch of the government powers that undermine our fundamental right to free speech, right to peacefully assemble, the right to petition the government to redress of grievances, privacy of our communication, and right to due process,” said the alliance in a statement.
Today’s activity will start with a public forum at 1 p.m. at the University of the Philippines Visayas Iloilo City Campus Little Theater, followed by a short protest program at the Oblation Grounds.
“We are frustrated that amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the House of Representatives and the Senate prioritized this repressive bill over the urgent needs of the people affected by over two months of lockdown,” according to the alliance.
In Metro Manila, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief, General Archie Gamboa said, “We will strictly enforce the IATF (Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases) protocols. We appeal to the public, especially to organized groups, to avoid mass gatherings as we celebrate this important day.”
Based on the new pronouncements of the IATF, only 10 persons will be allowed to participate in the commemoration rites at the Rizal Park in Manila in compliance with general community quarantine protocols.
This year’s Independence Day celebration carries the theme “Kalayaan 2020: Towards a Free, United, and Safe Nation.”
The PNP will hold simultaneous flag-raising ceremonies at its national headquarter and in all police regional offices that will be attended by a few personnel.
The Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6) here will commemorate Independence Day while observing public health safety protocols, said Police Brigadier General Rene Pamuspusan, director.
Regarding possible mass protests, he ordered policemen to exercise tolerance and calibrate their response. Protesters would be dispersed and advised to go home./PN
