That small group, so easy for the massive police force to control, brought the water cannon on the main assemblage which was standing by peacefully talking to police officers.

The water cannon hit former Vice President Teofisto Guingona, Sen. Jamby Madrigal, former Executive Secretary Oscar Orbos, Rep. Satur Ocampo, and three aged bishops, priests, and nuns, among others. Some were praying the rosary.

***

The protesters had planned a peaceful march, no placards, no streamers, no provocative yelling.

They wanted to go to San Beda College on the no-rally Mendiola street. San Beda is a few meters away from the line dividing Mendiola and Recto Avenue.

A thinking police officer would have let the protesters cross the line and escorted them to the college where some students were waiting for them. With the several respected public figures and bishops leading the group, only the most paranoid would expect violence from them.

***

But the police officers, having been given strict orders to do whatever was deemed necessary to hold the Mendiola line, felt free to use the water cannon at the slightest provocation: They were not allowed to think or exercise discretion.

The officer who ordered the use of the water cannon was immediately defended. "It was a judgment call," his superiors said, without stating whether it was a good or a bad call. But they said that officer would not be allowed to future demonstrations.

Presidential spokesmen were quick to justify the water cannonading, declaring that there was sufficient provocation from the protester.

Before it is too late, I believe that the police should apologize to Guingona, Madrigal, and bishops, et al, and promise to act like thinking human beings from now on.