As PNP doubles down on protest rules, groups say they won’t be silenced

Kabataan Partylist Representative Renee Co said that demonstrations that heeds for government accountability shall not be restrained by permit applications enforced by state forces, saying that they are only being used to protect corrupt officials.

As anger over the government’s multi-billion-peso flood control project anomalies expected to mount protests nationwide, the Philippine National Police is doubling down on its “no permit, no rally policy.”

The move has drawn fire from various progressive groups who branded it as an attempt to stifle dissent.

“‘Di dapat kailangan ng permit para panagutin ang mga korap. Karapatan at tungkulin ang magprotesta para sa inang bayan. ‘Di tayo mag-aabang na lang sa resulta ng scripted na mga turuan,” Co said in a September 13 statement.

The lawmaker criticized President Marcos Jr. of using the police to shield allies from corruption scandals, while reviving tactics first enforced under his father’s dictatorship.

“Obviously, takot si Marcos Jr. sa mga Pilipino, kasi alam niyang siya rin ang mastermind at may pananagutan sa laganap na nakawan sa dulo. Nawawaldas lang ang pondo ng bayan sa malaking pasweldo sa pulis na nagtatanggol lang sa korap at nasa kapangyarihan,” the congresswoman added.

Co urged the repeal of Batas Pambansa 880, a Marcos Sr.-era law that requires protest organizers to secure permits from local governments before holding rallies.

“Kung gusto niya makarelate sa kapwa Pilipino sa birthday niya, huwag niya pigilan ang mga rally. Dito niya malalaman ang totoong hinaing ng mamamayan. Ibasura na niya ang B.P. 880 na inimbento ng kanyang ama noong batas militar at ginagamit hanggang ngayon para dahasin ang mga mapayapang protesta, basta walang permit,” Co said.

‘Makatwiran ang galit’

Anakbayan national chairperson Mhing Gomez also condemned the ‘no permit, no rally’ policy, saying outrage over corruption is reasonable.

“Kailan pa kinailangang humingi ng permit para maglabas ng galit at manawagan ng pananagutan? Makatwiran ang galit at panawagan ng mamamayan at hindi ninyo kami madadaan sa permit-permit na ‘yan,” Gomez said.

The chairperson dismissed PNP’s “peace and order” justification as hollow.

“Matagal nang itinapon ng gobyernong ito ang peace and order buhat nang pagnakawan nila ang taumbayan. Walang kapayapaan at kaayusan kung gobyerno mismo ang nagnanakaw at pumapatay sa mamamayan,” Gomez added.

Police defend permit rule

PGen Jose Melencio Nartatez stood firm that the “no permit, no rally” rule is part of coordination to ensure security.

“‘Pag ka may rally, ‘yung mga raliyista, lalo na ‘yung mga pinuno ng grupo, naga-apply po ng permit ‘yan. Sa pag-apply nila ng permit, nagco-coordinate na rin sila sa pulis kung ano yung grupo nila at kung saan sila magpoprotesta,” Nartatez said in a September 12 radio interview.

He warned that rallies without permits would face dispersals and possible charges.

Despite the PNP being aware that no permit shall be required if the public assembly shall be done or made in a freedom park, Nartatez insisted otherwise.

“Ang freedom park po ay Liwasang Bonifacio at dito sa Quezon City Memorial Circle, pero kailangan [pa rin] mag-apply ng permit,” he said.

In Iloilo City, Police Colonel Kim Legada reiterated the said policy, stressing that assemblies held without required permits will be deemed unlawful.

“We recognize and respect the people’s right to express their sentiments. However, we strongly urge everyone to follow due process by securing permits,” he said.

On September 21, in line with the anniversary of the declaration of martial law, youth and progressive groups are set to lead nationwide protests, including in Iloilo City.

Benedict Maravilla is a sophomore Public Health student under the Division of Biological Sciences. He has been writing news for Pagbutlak since the academic year 2024-2025.