ORGANIZERS of the Maisug Peace Rally went to the local government of Bustos, Bulacan, on Friday morning to inform them about the upcoming rally in their area.
The move shouldn’t have been necessary since the venue is a private location, and based on the National Law BP880, no permit is required for gatherings as it is a right of the people.
However, the process of simply informing the local government became complicated.
“They didn’t give us a permit today. If you don’t want to give us a permit, we’ll find a way to show you that our agreement with the owner is legal. In fact, it’s a private property, so it’s outside government jurisdiction. But if there’s a problem, let’s all wash our hands clean. Just give us an explanation why it’s difficult for us to get a permit when it’s clear in BP880 that we don’t really need one,” according to the Organizer, Maisug Rally.
All of this stemmed from a report by SMNI News on Wednesday, April 24, 2024, about the press conference held by the TAPS Coalition.
The group announced that the Maisug Peace Rally in Central Luzon will push through and will be held in Bustos, Bulacan.
According to Verdel delos Santos, Regional Organizer of TAPS Coalition Central Luzon, individuals associated with Malacañang contacted the venue owner and issued threats.
“Because there’s pressure again. The day after, someone called the owner and said they’re still being prevented [to hold the Maisug Rally]. And what’s saddening is that there’s pressure that if we proceed, their properties might be targeted,” stated Verdel Delos Santos, Regional Organizer, TAPS Coalition, Central Luzon.
This was confirmed by the owner of the venue.
“Because what happened is they’re threatening us. They said, “If you allow that [Maisug Rally], you know what will happen to your properties.” Because we have businesses here. I asked who said that? It’s them! The Malacañang? They claimed to be from Malacañang. Yes. I said, “Aren’t we just ordinary people? What do you mean, the ones who called and came here, are they the same?” “Yes, they are,” the Owner of the venue said.
According to Placido Pilosopo, Sec. Gen. of the Kilusang Pagbabago Central Luzon, they did not violate any laws regarding the planned Maisug Rally.
In fact, all their actions are supported by proper documentation.
“Early on, we prepared additional documents that we’ll need for the gathering next week, April 28, here in Brgy. Poblacion, to ensure that we won’t be hindered by anything,” Plasido Pilosopo, Sec. Gen. Kilusang Pagbabago, Central Luzon stressed.
Marcos admin’s harassment against opposition a ‘Neo-Nazi Tactic’ —Former Pres’l Asst. to FVR
Meanwhile, according to former Presidential Assistant for Economic Affairs to Philippine President Fidel V. Ramos and a consultant to former President Rodrigo Duterte, Jose Alejandrino, no one should stop a peaceful rally as it is stated in the Constitution.
“They are prayer rallies, they are peaceful rallies that are allowed under the Constitution and nobody has the right to stop that,” said Jose Alejandrino, Former Presidential Assistant for Economic Affairs to Philippine President Fidel V Ramos.
He also criticized the current administration’s harassment of its critics as a Neo-Nazi tactic, such as the revocation of SMNI’s franchise.
“The government has its own propaganda machine, so if you want to have a strong democracy, you have to allow opposition to air its views. Now, the moment you start cracking down on the platform of the opposition, you are actually resorting to what I call Neo-Nazi tactics, because in every authoritarian government, they started out the same way. And what is wrong with, as a matter of fact, we should be happy that we have platforms like SMNI that can disagree,” Jose Alejandrino, Former Presidential Assistant for Economic Affairs to Philippine President Fidel V Ramos expressed.
Alejandrino is calling on the Marcos administration should stop harassing its critics, and urged the people to unite and show that the people, not politicians, are the ones in charge.
“So, this government should really rethink its policies and stop all this harassment.”
“That’s people power. We are taking power into your own hands. You’re telling those elected you are our servant, you are not our masters. And that is important to remind them of that because if you keep quiet, you allow the abuse of power and corruption to grow,” Alejandrino added.
Despite the harassment and intimidation, the TAPS Coalition clarified that the Maisug Peace Rally in Bustos, Bulacan, will push through on Sunday, April 28th.
