Lim draws '38th parallel' for Mendiola rallies

(Updated 9:20 a.m.) Saying he wants to ease tensions between anti-riot police and activists, Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim on Thursday said he will draw the line as to how far protest marches will go at Mendiola Bridge. This line – which he likened to Korea's "38th parallel" – will split the bridge into two, with the statue of Don Chino Roces as the divider. One half will face the streets of Recto and Legarda, which Lim said can be used by protesters. The other half, which fronts major schools such as Centro Escolar University, will remain off limits. "We will divide Mendiola Bridge in the middle, it's like we will have a 38th parallel ... we need to have a demarcation line that would provide enough space for protesters to air their grievances," Lim said in Filipino during an interview on dzBB radio. He added that, "I spoke with the chief of police there at Mendiola Bridge [and discussed this with him]. I told him people are becoming agitated because they cannot set foot on the bridge." Lim noted that while he recognized Filipinos' right to peaceably assemble, rallies must be done in an orderly fashion and should not inconvenience motorists. He added that, "we will not allow any disorder or any acts of violence." Militant groups are set to rally at Mendiola Bridge on Friday the 13th this month. Radio station dzBB reported that the groups, led by the left-leaning Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan), planned to apply today (Thursday) for a permit to hold a rally at Mendiola on July 13. Lim said he has heard of this and was awaiting interested parties to request a permit within the day. "I will send policemen to escort whoever is allowed to rally. The police will even bring them to wherever it is they will hold their protests, so that when marchers cross intersections, the cops can facilitate traffic. This would deter any inconvenience to motorists," Lim added. Bayan said it plans to air its protests against the anti-terror law, or the Human Security Act of 2007, during next week's rally. The city government then under mayor Jose Atienza Jr closed off Mendiola to protesters, saying it was a no-rally zone because of its close proximity to Malacañang Palace. Courteous hosts Meanwhile, Lim may have opened Mendiola Bridge to them, but he is not opening the area near the United States Embassy to protesters. Lim said his decision was based on "courtesy and respect" to the embassy of a foreign country, which he said has the right not to be disturbed. "Out of courtesy and respect to the embassy of a foreign country, we don't want those inside it to be disturbed. Besides, the first to be disturbed will be fellow Filipinos lining up and applying for visas," he said. He said that while Mendiola Bridge is part of Philippine territory, the area on which the US embassy stands is considered American soil. "This involves foreign territory. In the same way, our embassies abroad have the right to be protected from activities that may disrupt their operations," he added. He said protesters will be allowed to get to the corner of T.M. Kalaw Avenue and Roxas Boulevard in Manila, where they will be less likely to obstruct traffic. That way, he said the protesters can express their grievances while authorities can set up alternate traffic routes. - GMANews.TV