It should never be forgotten that in the Philippines free speech is something not encouraged. Sure Article 3 Section 4 of the Constitution says "No law shall be passed abridging the freedom of speech, of expression, or of the press, or the right of the people peaceably to assemble and petition the government for redress of grievances" but it does not say the police shall not prevent "the right of the people peaceably to assemble and petition the government for redress of grievances." Don't you know how wearisome it is for the PNP to attend to rallies?
Won't somebody please think of the poor police?
The Philippine National Police (PNP) is dissuading anti-government protesters from holding a rally for the third State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Marcos Jr. at the Batasang Pambansa Complex in Quezon City on Monday, July 22.
Citing similar situations in previous SONAs, PNP chief Police General Rommel Francisco Marbil said that the staging of rallies near the Batasang Pambansa Complex will only contribute to bad traffic situation.
“There are individuals applying at the local government units for a permit to conduct rally. I told them ‘Let’s just have a consultation first.’ It’s because anytime you can have a rally but the inconvenience that you will produce on the day of SONA is unacceptable,” Marbil said in a televised pre-SONA report on Friday, July 19.
“Those rallies cause not only a five-minute traffic. It will take an hour or two. Right now, there are many ongoing road projects in EDSA and the roads are getting smaller. If you hold a protest, just imagine the terrible inconvenience it will cause,” he added.
The PNP is expecting at least 5,000 anti-government protesters on the day of SONA, including participants of the “Hakbang ng Maisug” rally supported by former president Rodrigo Duterte and his supporters.
"Just imagine the terrible inconvenience it will cause," to the police. It may seem a little commonsensical because there are already rallies scheduled for the SONA but it's really part of a pattern. The PNP do not like to work and will encourage people to not file cases. When a cop pointed a gun at some noisy children the parents who filed a complaint were asked to drop the case "in the spirit of Christmas." In another instance a case was dropped by the PNP when the man apologized. He would go on to maul people for not giving him money.
The PNP are not so stupid as to to try to stop all protests. But they can attempt to disrupt them with loud music.
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| https://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/police-justify-playing-loud-music-during-rally-as-a-way-to-celebrate |
“IT IS our practice in PRO 7 to celebrate,” said Police Regional Office (PRO) 7 spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Gerard Pelare on why they played loud music when the people’s rally made a stop at the front of their office on Monday, July 22, 2024.
Hours before President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. delivered his third State of the Nations Address (Sona) on Monday, July 22, 2024, local progressive groups staged a people’s rally at Fuente Osmeña Circle leading to Colon St. in Cebu City.
On their way, they made a stop in front of the PRO 7 where they raised banners indicating statistical figures of the number of people that were allegedly arrested unjustly by the police force.
While the rally was ongoing, PRO 7 personnel took out a speaker and played loud music.
“The rally has used the Police Regional Office as their venue in their protests and rallies, but the issues that they are coming up with are not in any way related to peace and security,” Pelare said during a press conference Tuesday, July 23.
On matters of playing loud sounds during the rally, Pelare asserted that it is only their way of celebrating the third Sona of Marcos.
“When there are occasions such as Sona, and other national events, it is our practice in PRO 7 to celebrate also. That is one of the ways that we can show our support in the Sona of the President,” he added.
Pelare assured the public that the police force fully supports the protesters in expressing their opinion, saying it is their “constitutionally guaranteed right” to stage a protest.
Now, that quite frankly is a load of crap. No word on what music they were playing to "celebrate" but perhaps it was an annoying anime theme song?
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| https://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/219245/loud-music-was-not-meant-to-disrupt-rally-says-sinas |
The Police Regional Office in Central Visayas (PRO – 7) denied allegations that it attempted to drown the speeches of militants who staged a rally in front of its headquarters last Monday, February 25, 2019, by playing the theme song of a popular anime show through loudspeakers.
In a press conference today, Tuesday (February 26), Chief Superintendent Debold Sinas, PRO-7 director, said they played the theme song of Voltes V at the same time when seven militant groups in Cebu protested in front of PRO- 7’s gate along Osmeña Boulevard, Cebu City because “it was a holiday”.
"It was not for them. It was a holiday [for us]. Of course, it was played so that we could buy it and the police also like it (working on a holiday). It's even (played) on our PA (public address) system," said Sinas.
The same thing also happened on May 1st of this year, 2024.
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| https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=5790871521036994 |
HAPPENING NOW: PRO-7 blasts loud music amid Labor Day protestWhile protesters were calling for justice against state-sponsored killings, cops played loud music in front of the Police Regional Office - 7, Sergio Osmeña St., Cebu City.This happened few minutes before the main program commenced.
Publio Briones, a writer for Sunstar, testifies these speakers were installed by former PNP Chief Sinas for the express purpose of drowning out protestors.
Sinas ordered speakers to be installed in front of the PRO 7 headquarters, which played very loud music to drown out the voices of protesters. I’m not sure if the music was disco. The protesters weren’t amused. I thought it was funny.
https://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/opinion/briones-hail-to-the-chief
But who needs speakers when you a band?
WATCH: The PNP band loudly performs to divert attention from the chanting of protesters in front of the Police Regional Office 7 in Cebu City on Thursday, September 21. Various groups conduct protests to commemorate the 51st anniversary of the declaration of Martial Law.
The song being played is Zombie by The Cranberries which is a protest song against the Irish Republican Army's bombing which killed two children.
I'm sure there are more incidents of the PNP playing loud music to disrupt protests but the point has been made.
Filipinos are guaranteed there shall be no law restricting their freedom of speech or the right to peaceably assemble. However, they are not guaranteed the PNP won't attempt to disrupt peaceful assemblies with loud music.
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