Mayors set ‘rules’ for protest rallies

All protest barricades and obstructions on the road will be removed and dismantled and violators will be arrested and charged.

These were among the points unanimously approved during an emergency meeting yesterday of officials of the Department of the Interior and Local Government and mayors of Metro Manila in preparation for the week-long protest rally by groups pressing for the ouster of President Estrada.

Dubbed as "Isang Linggong Protesta," militant groups from the labor, student, business, fisherfolk and farmer sectors vowed to hold seven consecutive days of protests to further dramatize their call for President Estrada’s resignation.

The group also announced their plan to paralyze public transportation in Metro Manila by blocking the North and South Luzon Expressways, the gateways to the metropolis from the northern and southern parts of the country.

DILG Undersecretary for Local Government Narciso Santiago Jr. tasked the mayors to ensure the safety of individuals, whether protesters or innocent persons.

"Protesters will not be allowed to violate any law, rules and regulations during the protest actions," Santiago stressed.

Only four of the 17 mayors in the metropolis attended while others sent representatives to the meeting. Mayors present during the emergency meeting were Lito Atienza of Manila, Ismael Mathay of Quezon City, Amado Vicencio of Malabon and Ricardo Papa Jr. of Taguig.

Santiago noted that the rights of peace-loving citizens will be protected and the rule of law will be enforced during the series of rallies set to start today.

At the same time, he stressed the mayors and the Philippine National Police must maintain maximum visibility during the period of protests. "Mayors will be primarily responsible for the maintenance of peace and order in their respective cities and municipalities," he added.

Santiago said all inquest prosecutors must stay in their posts so that they can act immediately on any complaints related to the protest actions of the militant groups.