Bagong Alyansang Makabayan decries the “no-rally zone” policy and the overkill security measures inside and outside the Senate premises, despite the earlier commitment of authorities to respect the people’s right to hold vigils and organize protests during the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.
On July 6, the Bayan-led march from the Manila Film Center towards the Senate was blocked by the police, who also tried to violently disperse the protest by using their metal shields. Around 12 activists were hurt during the commotion. Our medic team treated participants with small lacerations and blunt trauma after being hit by police shields.
Despite the police violence and the barbed wire blockade placed on the road, we asserted our right to march and hold a protest in front of the Senate.
A small group of DDS and pro-Marcos supporters was already in the Senate vicinity and conducting their program.
We learned later from news reports that there was a “miscommunication” between the Pasay police and the PNP regional command on allowing protests during the trial. This is unacceptable, and the failure of coordination among the police does not give them the right to use violence against citizens.
The police should respect and uphold freedom of expression in dealing with protests and public assemblies, and they should apply the same standards to all groups, whether they are DDS, pro-Marcos, Iglesia ni Cristo members, Catholic groups, or anti-corruption formations like Bayan and the Kilusang Bayan Kontra Kurakot.
The excessive force used by the Pasay police reflects state intolerance towards dissent, the demonization and criminalization of activism, and the brutal tactics used by security forces to harass, intimidate, and preempt protests.
The violent attempt to disperse protests and the layers of metal barriers on the road have turned the Senate into a garrison, which undermines the Senate leadership’s claim that the people are free to monitor and express their sentiments during the impeachment trial.
Inside the Senate, technical questions are delaying the deliberation on substantive matters relating to the misuse of funds and abuse of power. Outside the Senate, security forces are driving anti-corruption advocates away. Is this a glimpse of what will happen during the impeachment trial for the next six months?
The people’s participation is crucial and necessary in the impeachment to remind senator-judges and all parties involved that truth, accountability, and justice must prevail.
We ask the Senate leadership to investigate the police, who violently attacked protesters on July 6. We demand the removal of barbed wires and other barriers surrounding the Senate premises, and we assert our right to hold vigils and organize protests in front of the Senate.
Sara Duterte is merely playing victim and maliciously evading accountability. It is activists and anti-corruption advocates who were bloodied and bludgeoned by the fascist police thugs on July 6. We remain unbowed.