THE Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has issued guidelines on the conduct of assemblies and rallies in public places during the holding of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) late this month. The DILG cited ensuring peace and order as reason for the policy.
Part of the guidelines is the “no permit, no rally” rule, which will cover all those who would like to hold public assemblies in public places during the weeklong leaders’ summit, according to Interior Secretary Mel Senen Sarmiento.
“Although our laws ensure the free exercise of the people’s right to peaceably assemble and petition the government, we would like to reiterate that we have to observe proper guidelines, including seeking permits to conduct public rallies,” he said.
In his directive to Metro Manila mayors, Sarmiento said the mayor, or any official acting in his behalf, may grant the application and issue the corresponding permit to rally.
However, permits “may not be granted in cases where there is clear and convincing evidence that the public assembly will create a clear and present danger to public order, safety and convenience and subject to proper procedures in accordance to Batas Pambansa [BP] 880.”
Sarmiento said a written permit is not required only when the public assembly will be done in a freedom park established by law or ordinance or in a private property, in which case only the consent of the owner is required.
Likewise, a written permit is no longer necessary if the assembly will be made in the campus of a government- owned and -operated education institution subject to the rules and regulation of the school or campus.
Sarmiento said that, while law-enforcement agencies will be in-charge of securing the Apec leaders, Metro mayors must help in maintaining peace and order by observing the proper guidelines to ensure the safety of those who will join the rallies.
Mayors, or any official acting on his behalf, may designate the route or reroute vehicular traffic so that there will be no undue obstruction in the free flow and use of public highway, boulevard, avenue, road or street for a reasonable length of time, he added
Under the Local Government Code, mayors can also temporary close any national or local road, alley, park or square during public rallies and temporary closure must be pursuant to a duly enacted ordinance.
The DILG chief also directed the Philippine National Police (PNP) to strictly observe “maximum tolerance” policy and respect the human rights of people during a public assembly even during dispersal.
Sarmiento said the PNP shall, at all times, be mindful of their duty to keep the peace and provide proper protection to those exercising their right to peaceful assembly.
Malacañang has earlier announced that more than 10 economic leaders have already confirmed attendance to the 2015 Apec Summit in Manila, including United States President Barack Obama, Russian President Vladimir Putin, as well as Indonesian President Joko Widodo, Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto, Chilean President Michelle Bachelet and newly sworn-in Canadian Prime Minster Justin Trudeau.
1 comment
When APEC was held in Sydney during the time of Howard half of the city was closed down !!! Now the Philippine government wants to restrict rallies from the APEC venues !!! It seems an APEC meet is sufficient to suspend human rights so that corporate rights, privileges and greed will not be disturbed !!!