‘No Permit, No Rally’ During APEC Summit in Manila

(PIA) — To ensure peace , order, and public safety during the upcoming Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leaders Summit this month, the DILG issued guidelines on the conduct of public assemblies and rallies in public places during this major international event.

Part of the guidelines is the “No Permit, No Rally” rule which should be applied to all those who would like to hold public assemblies in public places during the week-long 23rd APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting.

Department of the Interior and Local Government Secretary Mel Senen S. Sarmiento said that “although our laws ensure the free exercise of the people’s right to peaceably assemble and petition the government, we would like to reiterate that we have to observe proper guidelines including seeking permits to conduct public rallies.”

In his directive to Metro Manila Mayors, Sarmiento said the mayor or any official acting in his behalf may grant the application and issue the corresponding permit to rally. However, permits may not be granted in cases where there is clear and convincing evidence that the public assembly will create a clear and present danger to public order, safety and convenience and subject to proper procedures in accordance to Batas Pambansa (BP) 880.

He said a written permit is not required only when the public assembly will be done in a freedom park established by law or ordinance or in a private property, in which case only the consent of the owner is required.

Likewise, a written permit is no longer necessary if the assembly will be made in the campus of a government owned and operated education institution subject to the rules and regulation of the school or campus.

Sarmiento said while the PNP and law enforcement agencies will be in-charge of securing the APEC leaders, Metro Mayors must help in maintaining peace and order by observing the proper guidelines to ensure the safety of those who will join the rallies.

Mayors or any official acting on his behalf may designate the route or re-route vehicular traffic so that there will be no undue obstruction in the free flow and use of public highway, boulevard, avenue, road or street for a reasonable length of time, he added

Under the Local Government Code, mayors can also temporary close any national or local road, alley, park or square during public rallies and temporary closure must be pursuant to a duly enacted ordinance.

The DILG chief also directed the Philippine National Police (PNP) to strictly observe “maximum tolerance” policy and respect the human rights of people during a public assembly even during dispersal.

Sarmiento said the PNP shall at all times be mindful of their duty to keep the peace and provide proper protection to those exercising their right to peaceful assembly.

As of press time, all 21 economic leaders have already confirmed attendance to the 2015 APEC Summit in Manila, including United States President Barack Obama, Russia President Vladimir Putin, as well as Chinese President Xi Jinping, Indonesia President Joko Widodo, Mexico President Enrique Pena Nieto, Chile President Michelle Bachelet, and newly sworn-in Canadian Prime Minster Justin Trudeau. (DILG/RJB/JCP/PIA-NCR)