State of Emergency a Drawback to Authoritarianism, Says
Bacolod Councilor
“We are now on the edge of martial law
because the content of the proclamation is substantially the same as
Marcos’ Proclamation 1081. What will happen to us without freedom and
democracy?” said Atty. Rudy Parreno of the Negros Movement for Moral
Regeneration. “This is a drawback to authoritarianism,” said Bacolod City
Councilor Lyndon Cana.
BY KARL G. OMBION
Bulatlat
Various militant
groups in Bacolod led by Bayan Negros staged protests despite
cancellation of permits.
PHOTO BY KARL OMBION |
Bacolod City –
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo stunned the nation yesterday when she
suddenly issued Proclamation 1017, declaring a state of national
emergency.
There are no
guidelines yet regarding the implementation of Proclamation 1017. But
some specific instructions from Malacanang are reportedly out, among them,
the cancellation of all permits to carry firearms, prohibition of staging
of political rallies or perceived as anti-government rallies, warrant-less
arrests, seizure of establishments and utilities, aiding enemies of the
state.
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Several political
figures here have given their initial reaction to the proclamation, with
most expressing mixed responses, and others outrage.
Surprised
Former Negros
Occidental governor and currently Presidential Adviser for Visayas
Secretary Lito Coscolluela said he was caught by surprise because he has
not yet received a copy of the said proclamation, and there’s no
sufficient explanation given so far.
“So, we cannot cast
any judgment yet, but there must be compelling reasons based on
intelligence data regarding certain groups engaging in the destabilization
of the government”, Coscolluela added.
Congressmen Ignacio
‘Iggy’ Arroyo of the 5th District of Negros Occidental said
that there is nothing to fear about the state of emergency. “It is based
and directed against the the union of the left and right extremists who
are out to overthrow the government”
Negros Occidental
Governor Joseph Maranon said that the power to declare emergency is
exclusively on President Arroyo. “I am sure she has basis for doing so,
which unfortunately we have no access yet. I tell you to relax as we still
monitor the unfolding of events in Manila. I have already instructed all
local officials to maintain peace and order in their areas”, he added.
Negros Occidental
Provincial Police Office Director P/Sr.Supt Charles Calima said that they
are on full alert, and will provide additional support for the City of
Bacolod being the center of political activities. He said he already got
instructions from national headquarters to break all political rallies,
and cancel rally permits, but quickly added that in so far as Bacolod is
concerned there’s really no big problem. “We’ll enforce the law to its
fullest”, he said.
Militants,
opposition vow more protests
Meanwhile, militant
groups and the opposition slammed President Arroyo’s declaration of a
state of national emergency as a prelude to martial law.
Felipe Gelle,
Secretary-General of Bagong Alyansang Makabayan-Negros (Bayan or New
Patriotic Alliance) said that President Arroyo is deeply isolated, and so
desperate to cling to power that she is resorting to more repressive
political measures and tactics. “But Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo (GMA)
and his generals are wrong, the people will only be further enraged and
boot her out of power”, he said.
Lawyer Rudy Parreno,
spokesman of the Negros Movement for Moral Regeneration (NMMR) said that
the declaration of state of emergency cannot be legal and moral, it is a
desperate move of GMA wanting to stay in power via martial rule.
Parreno said, “We are
now on the edge of martial law because the content of the proclamation is
substantially the same as Marcos’ Proclamation 1081. What will happen to
us without freedom and democracy?” he asked.
He also urged the
people to resist GMA’s repressive measure.
Prof. Virgilio
Aguilar of the September 6 Movement (S6M), said, “GMA’s latest move is a
clear takeover of ultra-right forces in Malacanang who have a penchant for
undemocratic and terroristic actions.”
Bayan-Negros, NMRR
and other allied groups staged a anti-GMA protest rally yesterday,
participated by more than a thousand people. They demanded the immediate
junking of the state of national emergency, and the ouster of GMA.
Bacolod City
Councilor Lyndon Cana slammed GMA saying “the state of national emergency
is not only politically-motivated, but also unconstitutional, illegal and
immoral”. Cana said there is no clear and present danger or threat because
the people are just engaged in militant but peaceful protests.
Cana also said that
this is a drawback to authoritanianism.
Valladolid Mayor
Ricardo Presbitero, also the provincial coordinator of Partido ng Masang
Pilipino (Party of the Filipino Masses) and member of the United
Opposition, hit GMA saying, “It is not necessary, because the people are
waging their protest actions peacefully. What she is doing will only
further polarize the situation”, he said.
He added that the
“state of national emergency is actually a state of survival for GMA”.
Presbitero foresees
that this declaration will stir another constitutional crisis in the
country. Bulatlat
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