Militants vow protests won't disrupt Summit

Protests in the streets will be held without disrupting the activities of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Summit, militant groups Bayan-Central Visayas and Bayan Muna promised yesterday morning.

Militant leaders Jaime Paglinawan of Bayan-CV and Arman Perez of Bayan Muna reiterated this vow during a 20-minute meeting with Cebu City Police Office acting director, S/Supt. Patrocinio Comendador.

The closed-door dialogue was held in the office of Guadalupe police station chief, S/Insp. Catalino Nacario, as recommended by the militant leaders.

After the meeting Paglinawan told reporters that they all agreed with the terms for the peaceful holding of protest actions in areas that are allowed by the authorities, away from summit venues and ceremonial routes.

"Ikapasalig nato kang Comendador nga ang atong mga activities peaceful and orderly protest...kay sa among pagtan-aw kung kaguliyang man ang atong himuon during the protest, kaguliyang sad ang atong mapa-expose sa mga tawo," Paglinawan said.

But Perez said he is worried anti-riot policemen might use the latest bombing in Mindanao as an excuse for dispersing protesters violently.

"Usa sa mga apprehension gud nako nga katong bombing sa Mindanao basin gamiton nila para i-violently disperse mi," Perez said.

Comendador however allayed these fears as he reiterated PNP chief Oscar Calderon's order to apply maximum tolerance during protest rallies.

The police and protesters must abide by the rules and leaders of both sides must guard their own ranks, said Comendador.

He also asked the militants to inform authorities in advance about the holding of any protest activity so that the police can provide them security and manage traffic well to avoid congestion.

"If there will be rallies it should be peaceful and orderly. Mas maayo kung they will inform us kung asa sila mag-rally so that we could provide security and traffic management for them," Comendador said.

It was the second time that Bayan and Bayan Muna groups met with police officials for a dialogue about protest activities during the summit, the first was last December with Mayor Tomas Osmeña and summit security task force commander for Cebu, C/Supt. Silverio Alarcio.

Several Bayan and Bayan Muna members will be arriving today from Bohol and Negros and different towns in Cebu to join the mobilization activities tomorrow, Paglinawan said.

Only the Cebu City government has allowed militant groups to stage street rallies without the need to secure a permit from the mayor for as long as they will ensure that the protests are peaceful and orderly and that no government properties are destroyed. - Edwin Ian Melecio/RAE