Do not disrupt ASEAN security blanket – PNP

MANILA, Philippines — After the Philippine National Police has put in place all the security measures for the 49th Association of Southeast Asian Nations Summit and Related ASEAN Summits, the PNP yesterday urged activists not to disrupt the security blanket and  hold their rallies elsewhere.

PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. appealed to rally organizers to hold their public demonstrations in designated areas such as freedom parks and refrain from going to the meeting venues of the heads of state and other delegates.

Nartatez suggested to cause-oriented groups to coordinate with local government units to ensure their assemblies are peaceful, instead of holding lightning rallies near the ASEAN Summit venues.

He reminded protesters of Batas Pambansa 880, or the Public Assembly Act, which requires the need for permits for demonstrations.

Brig. Gen. Christopher Abrahano, National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) chief, said no group has secured a permit to hold public demonstrations during the three-day  summit.

In a phone interview with The STAR, Abrahano shot down comments from Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) president Renato Reyes, who questioned whether a law actually bans rallies outside freedom zones.

“On the contrary, we have a law against violent assemblies. That’s why we have freedom parks, where they’re allowed to conduct peaceful rallies. Outside of these, they need to get a permit,” Abrahano said.

“We will not compromise the security of the summit, our foreign delegates and the general public,” he added.

The labor alliance All Workers Unity will kick off what is expected to be a series of protests during the ASEAN summit, with particular aim at United States President Donald Trump’s attendance on Nov. 17.

All Workers Unity and members of Lakbayanis, another group from Southern Luzon, will attempt to march to the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC), the main summit venue, on Sunday.

The alliance is composed of progressive groups such as Kilusang Mayo Uno, Migrante International, Alliance of Concerned Teachers and Defend Jobs Philippines, among others.

On Monday, Bayan will begin its protests against Trump by marching from Liwasang Bonifacio to the US embassy. Upon Trump’s arrival, Bayan will try to go near the heavily guarded PICC.

Rallies will continue on Wednesday in front of the Mendiola Peace Arch.

To avoid confrontations, Nartatez ordered police officers to exercise maximum tolerance and be courteous in dealing with protesters.

“We can protect the right to express ourselves while making sure that the safety of everyone is not put at risk,” Nartatez said.

The PNP is on full alert during the duration of the ASEAN Summit, with over 20,000 personnel deployed to secure world leaders and delegates, billeting areas, routes, venues, vital installations and places of convergence.

The NCRPO, Central Luzon, Calabarzon and Crame-based police units are also on full alert.

Brig. Gen. Jess Mendez, Central Luzon police director, said the region has sent 2,000 police officers to augment the security force.

Abrahano said that as of yesterday, the NCRPO was monitoring low-level security threats and has prepared contingencies. — EJ Macababbad, Ramon Efren Lazaro, Ric Sapnu