Catholic bishops who are members of the Kilusang Makabansang Ekonomiya (KME) yesterday led hundreds of people at Plaza Miranda in Quiapo, Manila in a prayer rally and procession aimed at denouncing what they call as anti-people policies of the Arroyo administration and to urge the people to continue their search for the truth.
When the group proceeded with their plan to hold a procession from Plaza Miranda to San Beda College in Mendiola near the presidential palace, police blocked their way on Claro M. Recto Ave. in front of San Sebastian College.
As negotiations were ongoing among rally leaders and Chief Supt. Pedro Bulaong, chief of the Manila Police District, firemen trained their hose on the protesters to disperse the crowd. Bulaong himself said on national television last night that he was surprised by the attack.
Caloocan Bishop Deogracias Iñiguez said, "We did not reach San Beda because while we were on our way to Recto, I saw some of our companions being repelled by water cannons."
"I did not want any of them to get hurt so instead of pushing through with our plan, I advised them to leave," the bishops said.
Earlier in Plaza Miranda, he said, "We’re here to call the attention of God, of the people, of the government, of everyone on what is the situation of the Philippines and to also challenge everyone to look for solutions."
"Ang sinasabi naman kasi ng CBCP, is that we have to look for the good of the country and so we are trying to look for the truth. We are trying to look for the truth by calling attention to what is happening to our country," Bishop Iniguez, public affairs chair of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), said.
The KME condemned recent policies of the Arroyo administration, including Executive Orders 464 and 467, which it said were anti-people.
These policies are being used by the Arroyo administration to condition the people to accept emergency rule, the KME said.
While they were not able to attend the gathering, Iniguez said, the KME has the support of San Pablo Bishop Leo Drona, Bacolod Bishop Vicente Navarra and Dipolog Bishop Jose Manguiran.
Also at the procession was Novaliches Bishop Antonio Tobias and retired Bishop Julio Labayen.
Also present in yesterday’s prayer rally were former Vice President Teofisto Guingona Jr., Senator Jamby Madrigal, former congressman Wigberto Tanada, former secretary of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Corazon "Dinky" Soliman and Bayan Muna Rep. Satur Ocampo. They were also dispersed with water.
The Commission on Human Rights yesterday deployed a team of investigators, medical and legal personnel to monitor the rally staged by multi-sectoral groups at the foot of Mendiola Bridge.
Human Rights Chair Purificacion Quisumbing ordered the team to monitor how police implemented Batas Pambansa 880, an act meant to ensure the free exercise by the people of their right to assemble peacefully and petition the government.
The team was tasked to observe how police officers implemented government new "calibrated pre-emptive response (CPR) policy rules of engagement during peaceful dispersal. They were also asked to see if police officers wear proper uniforms for proper identification.
Meanwhile, National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) Director Vidal Querol yesterday placed Metro Manila police on full alert amid the antiArroyo demonstrations led by Catholic bishops and the looming terrorist threat.
Querol declared the full alert status effective 12 noon yesterday ahead of the protest march.
Philippine National Police (PNP) spokesman Senior Supt. Leopoldo Bataoil said sufficient antiriot policemen were deployed in metropolis to ensure the peace and order situation. (with reports by Ellalyn de Vera and Aris Ilagan)
