UP Prof. Randy David, rally leaders arrested

Anti-riot police on Friday afternoon arrested rally organizers who were converging for the commemoration of the 20th anniversary of the first People Power revolt. University of the Philippines professor Randolf "Randy" David, lawyer Argee Guevarra, Akbayan party-list Rep. Risa Hontiveros-Baraquel and Akbayan national president Ronald Llamas were taken into custody at the Santolan area in San Juan. Guevarra is a counsel for the Magdalo group, which launched a short-lived mutiny in July 2003. Authorities were supposed to bring the arrested rally organizers to Camp Karingal in Quezon City. David questioned the authority that the arrest was being carried out. The police responded that they were empowered to do so under President Arroyo's Proclamation 1017, or the Proclamation of a State of National Emergency. Lawmen continued to chase away protesters along EDSA as of posting time. David bemoaned that what happened is "already Martial Law." Deputy Director General Vidal Querol, Metro Manila police chief, chided David for insisting on joining an activity when rally permits had been cancelled. Querol added that the activities were creating traffic jams. "If you rally in a public place more so in EDSA you have to have a permit," he said when asked if participants in protests will automatically be arrested.-GMANews.TV