Manila archbishop says Mendiola rally dispersal justified

Manila Archbishop Gaudencio Rosales virtually defended policemen in last Friday’s controversial dispersal of the prayer rally near Mendiola.

Rosales said the police were doing their duty to prevent anarchy from spilling on the streets amid mounting criticisms against the calibrated preemptive response against wildcat protest actions.

"We need a little order," Rosales said. "The government cannot exist if there’s anarchy, and discipline is necessary in order for the country to develop. We’ve seen how this worked for most of the developed countries."

Rosales made the statement even as three bishops were among those who were hosed down by water cannons by anti-riot policemen near Mendiola last Friday.

The protesters were led by former vice president Teofisto Guingona and Sen. Jamby Madrigal, accompanied by Bishops Deogracias Iñigez of Caloocan City, Antonio Tobias of Novaliches and Julio Labayen of Infanta, Quezon.

"The organizers and marchers were right in securing a permit but it was wrong for them to go beyond the limits of that permit," Rosales explained at a news conference yesterday.

While apparently justifying the police dispersal, Rosales also said the government should not use excessive force in instilling discipline and order.

"Pag nakakasakit na, hindi na tama ’yun. It not only inflicts physical harm to the people but also hurts the feelings of those who sympathize with them," he said.

Rosales said the administration should accept criticisms from the people and should not prevent them from airing grievances in all forms.

He likewise admitted the growing incidents of violent dispersals in the implementation of the calibrated preemptive response (CPR) are becoming "alarming."

He said both sides should have to "look on their reasons, motivations, and ultimate purposes."

"The government must realize that anything harmful to others is not right but at the same time those responsible for the rallies must also examine their position and make sure that they are really advocating what’s good for the many," Rosales said.

Malacañang, on the other hand, appealed to members of the clergy to become instruments of peace and reconciliation rather than engaging in political spitfires.

Though there is nothing wrong with bishops serving as spiritual advisers to some militant groups and critics of the administration, Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said it was unfortunate that some men of the cloth are actively involved in politics.

"We leave it to the people’s discernment on whether their attacks on the President are in keeping with their role as Church leaders," Ermita said.

Ermita said the three bishops who joined the rally last Friday near Malacañang are spiritual advisers of some militant groups.

Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye added Malacañang had been initiating back-channel efforts for a dialogue with various groups critical of the CPR.

"The Palace is always open to dialogue and we can assure you we are doing everything to promote understanding among the different sectors," Bunye said.

The Philippine National Police (PNP) also said they are reviewing the police rules on engagement in the light of the implementation of the CPR.

Authorities claimed the dispersal of the rally last Friday was justified, pointing out video footage of the demonstrations showing a man clad in a white shirt with a handgun tucked in his waist.

Police said it turned out to be the security aide of Madrigal.

PNP spokesman Chief Superintendent Leopoldo Bataoil released CD copies of the footage to reporters yesterday which also showed Superintendent Bernardo Diaz, the ground commander of the anti-riot policemen from the Manila Police District (MPD), briefing his men on how to deal with the rallyists.

The four-minute video also showed a man in a green shirt handing something to a man in white T-shirt who later tucked the object in the right side of his waist.

PNP chief Director Genral Arturo Lomibao had expressed concern over the presence of a gun during rallies, a violation of Batas Pambansa 880 which prohibits even policemen from bringing in firearms and explosives within 100 meters of a rally site.

Lomibao stressed the police were justified in dispersing the rally that went beyond the permit granted to them by the city government of Manila.

"Rule of law must prevail," Lomibao said, also insisting that the human rights of the protesters were respected during the dispersal. — With Aurea Calica, Cecille Suerte Felipe, Paolo Romero, Pia Lee-Brago, Katherine Adraneda