Navarra said the use of water cannons against unarmed protesters was the height of intolerance and a brutish display of rudeness and lack of respect for the people’s fundamental rights.

In his letter circular to the clergy and lay leaders, Navarra said the incident was a concrete display of disrespect for human rights.

In the wake of the said "water canonization" — as popular TV host and former Executive Secretary Oscar Orbos called the episode — the bishop called for a general assembly of all members of the Catholic clergy in Bacolod which concluded the other day, to discuss the political unrest plaguing the country.

"We have to formulate a collective stand, or take action against the unjust water dispersal in Mendiola," he said.

A rosary rally has been scheduled by the Bacolod diocese to pray for an end to the "repressive" acts being undertaken by the Arroyo administration.

Navarra’s complaint came in the wake of a series of protest rallies in the Visayas—in Cebu, Aklan and in Iloilo as well as in Negros Occidental – that condemned the "calibrated preemptive response" or CPR that the Arroyo government has used against dissenters.

CPR, according to critics, is a misnomer since it talks of a "preemptive" response. A response is a reaction, they said and preemption means preventing any action. It is thus a misnomer and a linguistic mirage.

According to Gov. Joseph Marañon, he allows rallies as long as they are peaceful, because the people have the right to express their sentiments.

"As long as rallies are peaceful and the participants do not bother others, there is no problem with the holding of rallies," agreed Mayor Evelio Leonardia.

However, the rally organizers also have to seek permission from the Mayor’s Office to ensure the availability of the venue in which they wish to stage their protests on the day they are applying for. (Edith Colmo)