FVR backs GMA’s rally policy

Former President Fidel Ramos came to President Arroyo’s aid once again, defending her from opposition attacks for implementing the stricter "calibrated preemptive response" against anti-government protest actions.

"It’s not martial law," Ramos told The STAR at the launching of his book "Fighting Terrorism by Fighting Poverty" at the RCBC Plaza in Makati City Wednesday night.

Reports that the administration is contemplating martial law are nothing but "fantasies, fabrications and speculations," he said.

Ramos, former chief of the Philippine Constabulary-Integrated National Police during the authoritarian Marcos regime, said he himself is opposed to another martial rule.

"I will fight any martial law," Ramos said, as he called on Filipinos to respect each other’s rights. He emphasized, however, that this has corresponding responsibilities.

According to Ramos, the President’s calibrated preemptive response seeks to restore order to the streets and protect the rights of a greater number of people.

"We all have rights. These rights include the right to travel, the right to mobility, to go to work and to go home," he said, referring to complaints about the disruption of businesses and traffic caused by rallies in Makati City, a known opposition bailiwick.

"Hindi tama ang ginagawa ng mga authorities dito sa Makati," Ramos stressed, noting that street actions in the central business district of the country’s financial capital are damaging to the economy.

Ramos scored opposition-led street actions being held at the corner of Ayala Avenue and Paseo de Roxas which have resulted in total road closures.

Three huge rallies have so far been staged in the area where the Ninoy Aquino monument stands since the "Hello Garci" wiretapping and jueteng scandals allegedly involving the President broke out last June. Thousands of rallyists from different militant groups, students and opposition forces flooded into the two main avenues.

Ramos said these demonstrations should be held elsewhere like the vacant lot behind Ayala Avenue which he referred to as the "bukid (grassland) area" that can be filled with thousands of people.

He pointed out there are also freedom parks — such as Rizal Park in Manila — which could be used by anti-government forces to voice their concerns and exercise their right to freedom of speech and expression.

Meanwhile, the anti-government Be Not Afraid Movement came up with a way to circumvent Malacañang’s calibrated preemptive response policy by launching "silent protests."

Some of its members, wearing yellow shirts calling for the President’s resignation, went on a "mall tour" in Makati City yesterday morning.

Police kept an eye on them, but no one was arrested nor invited for questioning as they merely walked around, careful to not to make any noise or cause disruption.