Makati seeks respite from street protests

While it has not completely banned rallies to be staged at the country’s financial district, the city government of Makati said yesterday it also wants a respite from protests.

According to a city official, this was the reason why Mayor Jejomar Binay denied the request of the Freedom from Debt Coalition (FDC) and Alternatiba sa Mamamayan to hold a rally today.

"We are not banning rallies pero huwag naman sunod-sunod. We won’t be allowing rallies in the city for at least two weeks," city administrator Nicanor Santiago Jr. told The STAR.

Santiago said the business community has been complaining about the adverse effects of protest rallies, usually held on Ayala Avenue and the monument of the slain Sen. Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino Jr.

"We also have to be considerate of others and ease the anxieties caused by the incident last week," Santiago said.

Santiago was referring to the violent dispersal of anti-administration rallyists last Nov. 12.

Binay met with the leaders of FDC and Alternatiba, reportedly a coalition of anti-administration groups, last Tuesday where he asked them to defer their rally.

Santiago said the groups wanted to stage a rally on Ayala Avenue and Aquino’s monument on Paseo de Roxas from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. today.

The organizers said they expected 15,000 to attend their rally, he added.

Binay said in a statement that while the city government respects the freedom of speech and assembly, certain conditions must be imposed "to ensure that business and commercial activities are not disrupted, and that the welfare of the public is protected at all times."

In the same statement, Santiago appealed to both pro-and anti-administration rallyists to defer their demonstrations until after the guidelines to ensure peaceful protests are finalized by city officials and police authorities.

A new set of guidelines for rallies is being drafted to prevent a repeat of the violent dispersal.

The guidelines are expected to be submitted to Binay next week.

Among the possible new rules are limiting rallies to 4 p.m. to address peace and order and traffic concerns.

Vigils and overnight protest actions at the financial center would not be allowed as well.

Santiago said any group that would hold a rally without a permit from the city government would immediately be dispersed by the police.