The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) reminded the police to exercise maximum tolerance and respect the rights of protesters to peacefully assemble during the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) summit.
DILG officer in charge Catalino Cuy also urged Philippine National Police personnel to strictly adhere to police operational procedures in handling protest actions.
Cuy, who heads the Asean committee on security, peace and order, and emergency preparedness and response, pointed out: “They (the rallyists) have a right to air their grievances, and we respect that. However, we in the government also have a duty to ensure that they will exercise their rights in a peaceful and orderly manner especially at this time when we are at the peak of hosting the Asean summit.”
The DILG official issued the reminder after groups, including the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan, announced that they will stage demonstrations against US President Donald Trump, one of the world leaders attending the summit, starting Sunday, Nov. 12.
Cuy advised protesters to hold their mass actions in freedom parks and other areas far from the summit venue to avoid disrupting Asean-related activities and aggravating traffic conditions.
He likewise asked rally organizers to police their own ranks and ensure protesters do not resort to violent acts in airing their grievances. —Jeannette I. Andrade
More protests—like this one held in Manila on Friday—await the US president and his Philippine counterpart this coming Asean summit week.—MARIANNE BERMUDEZ