CHR lawyers with cameras to monitor SONA rallies

Armed with video cameras, three teams of lawyers will be deployed by the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) to closely monitor the protest rallies when President Arroyo delivers her seventh State of the Nation Address (SONA) today at the Batasan complex in Quezon City this afternoon.

The lawyer contingent led by Flora Atillano, head of the CHR in the National Capital Region, will record on video the protest proceedings, said Metro police chief Deputy Director General Reynaldo Varilla.

“They will determine who instigated or provoked violence should the protest rally during the SONA get out of hand,” he said.

However, Varilla expressed confidence the SONA rallies would be peaceful and orderly as militant groups headed by party-list lawmakers Etta Rosales and Risa Baraquel of Akbayan and Sanlakas, respectively, have pledged to abide by the guidelines they have agreed on during a breakfast meeting at the Sulo Hotel in Quezon City last Friday.

Varilla said the CHR lawyers would also serve as watchdog and deterrent to erring members of the anti-riot policemen.

He noted his men would exercise maximum tolerance against the rallyists, but warned “we will make necessary arrest if the rule of law is broken.”

“We will not allow anybody to hurl pillbox in our phalanx,” Varilla stressed.

He also cautioned police personnel caught instigating violence that they would be “dealt with severe punishment under the PNP laws and regulations.”

Varilla said Atillano made rounds on five police districts in the past months, briefing anti-riot policemen on the implementing guidelines of Batasang Pambansa 880.

Southern Police District director Chief Superintendent Roberto Rosales said CHR lawyers would be deployed in the protest rallies at the Senate building and Philippine International Convention Center grounds in Pasay City and in Ayala Ave. in Makati City.

Quezon City Police District director Senior Superintendent Magtanggol Gatdula said Atillano told him that CHR lawyers would be deployed at the Ever Gotesco Mall, St. Peter’s Church and Sandiganbayan, where the bulk of militant groups are expected to stage their protest rallies.

Foreign activists, scientists and environmentalists are also set to join the rallies.

Bayan said about 40 foreign activists would be part of their demonstration against the implementation of the Human Security Act of 2007.

Filipino-American members of Bayan’s chapter in the US and activists from Belgium, Burma, Canada and Korea will join the march along Commonwealth Avenue toward Ever Gotesco Mall, said Bayan secretary general Renato Reyes Jr.

In their protest rally, scientists from AGHAM and environmentalists from Kalikasan People’s Network announced they will push for the development of Filipino industries, and decry the increasing loss and destruction of the country’s natural resources.

At the Batasan complex, anti-riot policemen were to be deployed as early as 5 a.m. today.

Varilla, with Philippine National Police chief Director General Oscar Calderon, assured the public that security measures were in place and that no terror threats have been monitored.

The entire Metro Manila has been on full alert since Saturday morning. Heightened alert will be hoisted in nearby regions, including Ilocos, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Southern Tagalog and Bicol.

Some 9,000 police personnel will be involved in the entire security operations for the SONA.

Meanwhile, weather forecaster Bobby Rivera of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration advised protesters to bring rain gear with them today, as isolated rainshowers and thunderstorms are expected especially in the afternoon. – With Cecille Suerte Felipe, Katherine Adraneda, Helen Flores