Strict ‘no permit, no rally’ policy

Police will strictly implement the "no permit, no rally" policy, Metro police chief Director Reynaldo Varilla said yesterday, as authorities braced for street rallies today in protest of efforts of President Arroyo’s political allies to amend the Constitution.

Varilla appealed to rally organizers to police their ranks and observe the rule of law to ensure their rallies remain peaceful and orderly.

"We definitely would not allow mob rule to govern the streets. They can shout their hearts out in freedom parks but not in the streets where we would disperse them once they cannot show any permits from the local government units," Varilla told The STAR.

Varilla met with his five police district directors yesterday to map out their security preparations. He told his commanders that they will meet with rally organizers and establish ground rules to ensure order.

Under a security plan dubbed "Manila Shield," the National Capital Regional Police Office (NCRPO) would secure Malacañang Palace and declare the Don Chino Bridge on Mendiola Street — the main road to the presidential palace — and several other areas as a "no rally zone."

The number of anti-riot police personnel would be deployed depending on the rally turnout.

"I understand, the rally organizers are set to hold a last minute meeting anytime this day to discuss their plans. Our monitoring team have not sent word about their plans as yet," said Varilla.

Initial intelligence reports showed that the rally organizers have promised to gather at least 10,000 and initially would gather in front of St. Peter Church in Quezon City before marching towards Mendiola.

The rally organizers decided to push through with their rally despite House Speaker Jose de Venecia’s decision to defer their plan to convene a constituent assembly and make amendments to the Constitution.

Varilla said anti-riot policemen of the NCRPO would exercise maximum tolerance in dealing with the protesters.

"A number of our district directors are new in their jobs so I called this briefing to familiarize them about our security preparations," Varilla said as he emphasized that there was no need to re-route traffic in the vicinity of rally areas.

"I’m appealing to the rally organizers not to disrupt traffic as the commuters and the riding public have also their right to use the streets," the NCRPO chief said.

Eastern Police District director Chief Superintendent Luizo Ticman said he would deploy a token contingent at the EDSA Shrine to enforce the wishes of the Catholic Church not to allow any political activity in the area.