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THE
Commission on Human Rights (CHR) asked antiriot
policemen on Wednesday to respect human rights in
dealing with protesters in the July 28 rallies when
President Arroyo delivers her State of the Nation
Address (Sona).
President Arroyo’s approval rating dropped to negative
38 percent, according to the latest Social Weather
Station survey, in the wake of the skyrocketing food and
fuel prices, and this is seen as a signal of big
protests at the Sona.
Speaking
before top police officials and anti-riot policemen from
the five police districts in Metro Manila—Manila Police,
Quezon City Police, Northern, Southern and Eastern
Police Districts at Camp Karingal in Quezon City—at the
opening of the one-day human rights seminar, CHR head
Leila de Lima reminded the police to at all times serve
as the protector of the people, respecting always their
constitutionally guaranteed rights to freedom of
expression and assembly.
Around
1,000 policemen attended the briefing, where they were
given pointers on how to handle with extreme tolerance
the civil disturbances.
The
deployed policemen will be unarmed, except for the
antiriot policemen who carry shields and batons for
their protection in case of an attack by protesters.
However,
she reminded them that the act of one person should not
be taken against all others.
According to de Lima, noncompliance with the no-permit,
no rally policy is also not a justification to disperse
protest rallies. However, she said policemen on ground
should only use “reasonable force” if the situation
calls for it, but on a case-to-case basis, reminding
them to observe the Miranda doctrine whenever making
arrests.
So far,
Director Geary Barias, chief of the National Capital
Region Police Office (NCRPO) said two groups have asked
and secured a permit to conduct the rallies—Bayan and
Kilusang Makabayang Ekonomiya.
Barias,
however, said they will only be allowed up to St.
Peter’s Parish Church along Commonwealth Avenue.
A
meeting will be held today, Thursday, between police
officials and leaders of the cause-oriented groups who
will join the Sona rallies, to set ground rules
regarding the conduct of peaceful rallies.
According to de Lima, the CHR will dispatch three
monitoring teams with 10 members each to check on the
rights violations committed both by the anti-riot
policemen and unruly protesters.
The CHR
will take photographs and video as part of their
documentation.
During
the press conference, Barias assured the CHR chief there
will be no dispersal unless the situation calls for it.
Barias
assured the CHR that the antiriot policemen will
exercise maximum tolerance and will only use “reasonable
force” as a last option. “There will be no guns,” he
said.
“We
expect various cause-oriented organizations and militant
groups to stage protest rallies during SONA. Similarly,
government supporters are also expected to express their
views. It is for these reason that we need to provide
and equip our CDM policemen with fundamental knowledge
on Human Rights,” Barias explained.
In this
connection, the NCRPO chief activated the Police Super
Task Force Kapayapaan (STF Kapayapaan) tasked to provide
overall security coverage, traffic management and
support for the Sona.
At least
6,250 policemen and 600 soldiers will be deployed to
maintain peace and order.
He said
policemen in plain clothes will also be deployed to
neutralize troublemakers who might sabotage the peace
and order.
Barrias
said they expect only 5,000 to 7,000 anti-administration
and pro-administration ralliers at Batasan Hills, where
President Arroyo will deliver her SONA and inaugurate
the opening of the second regular session of the 14th
Congress. |
