Batasan main gate off limits to rallyists

The National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) banned rallyists yesterday from occupying the area in front of the main gate of the Batasang Pambansa complex in Quezon City.Metro police chief Director Vidal Querol said the directive was the result of Wednesday’s clashes between riot policemen and demonstrators calling for the impeachment of President Arroyo.

At least 17 rallyists were hurt as policemen beat them up with truncheons after they started throwing rocks. Eight policemen were also injured.

Even if militant groups are granted rally permits by the local government of Quezon City, Querol said, demonstrators will not be allowed to occupy the area near the main gate of the building.

"We will allow them to take position on the side roads some 50 meters away from the gate," he said.

The Metro police chief also set up guidelines to prevent a repeat of the bloody clashes.

"It is unfortunate that this incident had to happen," Querol said.

He stressed police will strictly enforce the "no permit, no rally" policy at the Batasang Pambansa complex.

The NCRPO chief pointed out that TV news footages showed several rallyists throwing stones at a phalanx of anti-riot policemen.

"Malalaki ang mga bato na inihagis nila sa hanay ng kapulisan natin," said Querol, who blamed both sides for the incident.

"The police were very, very tolerant and ignored the assault on their position by the rallyists. Rally organizers and leaders must be responsible enough to prevent their members from throwing objects at our cops," he said

Querol stressed that the Batasan incident was an isolated one as he directed Chief Superintendent Nicasio Radovan, director of the Quezon City Police District (QCPD), to meet with rally leaders and organizers to avoid similar incidents in the future.

"Once again, I ask rally organizers to be fair-minded and to respect the right of greater majority to use the street," he said.

Although the rally was staged without a permit, 500 anti-riot policemen deployed at the Batasang Pambansa complex exercised maximum tolerance until the protesters started throwing rocks at their direction and hit them, Querol said.