Unruly protesters during Marcos’ inauguration face arrest — police

Protesters who will become unruly during the inauguration of President-elect Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on June 30 will be arrested, the police said Tuesday.

At a press conference, Manila Police District (MPD) director Police Brigadier General Leo Francisco cited Public Assembly Act of 1985 for their arrest.

“Kapag sila ay naging unruly at naging cause na ng disturbance sa activities ng ating mga mamamayan, cause yan para pagsabihan sila at kung hindi pa sila madala sa pakiusap, magkakaroon tayo ng arestuhan,” he said.

(If they become unruly and cause disturbance on the activities of the public, we will warn them and if they do not listen, we will arrest them.)

National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) chief Police Major General Felipe Natividad said mobile jail from the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) will be on stand-by at the venue.

“Doon sa area mismo, near the area, within the vicinity, meron tayong ilalagay na bus ng BJMP na para if ever the case arises na kailangan talaga, nandoon na po yung ating bus ng BJMP,” Natividad said.

(Within the vicinity, we will deploy a BJMP bus, so if ever the case arises, if really needed, the BJMP bus is already there.)

“Doon natin ilalagay yung mga magiging unruly (We will lock away unruly protesters there),” he added.

Freedom parks

Interior Secretary Eduardo Año said both anti- and pro-Marcos rallies should only be conducted at designated freedom parks.

“Ang ating gustong pupunta doon at magra-rally, whether it is pro or against, ay doon sa freedom parks. Doon lang talaga sila puwede mag-stage ng kanilang rally,” he said.

(Those who want to go to the inauguration and stage a rally, whether pro or against, are designated at freedom parks. They can stage a rally there.)

According to Francisco, Liwasang Bonifacio has a capacity of 5,000 people; Plaza Dilao, 1,000; Plaza Miranda 500 to 700; and Plaza Moriones, 500.

Año said the supposed plot or threat to embarrass Marcos during his inauguration covers different platforms, including online.

But he pointed out that the recent order of the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) to take down progressive groups’ websites has nothing to do with the inauguration of Marcos. 

The burning of effigy is only allowed within the freedom park and prohibited at the venue of the inauguration, the police said.

“We will not allow doon sa mismong venue area, we will not allow entry. They will be refused, yung mga ganyang effigy, yung mga ginagamit nilang paraphernalias,” Natividad said.

(We will not allow the burning of effigy in the actual venue, we will not allow entry. They will be refused, those effigies, their paraphernalia.)

Francisco pointed out that protesters need to obtain permits from local governments if they will use the areas outside the freedom parks. — RSJ, GMA News