2008-07-27 11:51:42 - No demonstrations will be allowed at the Chino Roces Avenue (formerly Mendiola Bridge) Monday, the day when President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo delivers her State-of-the-Nation Address (SONA).

Manila

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Manila bans rallies in Mendiola when PGMA delivers SONA

No demonstrations will be allowed at the Chino Roces Avenue (formerly Mendiola Bridge) Monday, the day when President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo delivers her State-of-the-Nation Address (SONA).

This was stressed on Sunday by Manila Mayor Alfredo S. Lim, as he called on authorities to avoid violent dispersals while reiterating the city's standing

policy to allow rallies in the said area only during weekends and holidays, so as not to inconvenience and pose danger on the students whose schools are located there and disrupt their classes.

He encouraged the rallyists to instead hold their protest actions in certain areas where demonstrations are allowed any day, such as freedom parks, provided they have the necessary permits.

The mayor has already directed Chief Superintendent Roberto Rosales, Manila Police District (MPD) director, to remind his men to exercise maximum tolerance.

Lim said Rosales will detail cops to guard against unscrupulous individuals who may try to wreak havoc as President Arroyo delivers her SONA Monday.

The mayor added policemen will be tasked to regulate the crowd and ensure that the peace and order situation does not go haywire.

Lim's decision to bar rallyists from using Mendiola on weekdays came as an offshoot of complaints from school authorities and students alike who said they are usually prompted to suspend or skip classes owing to the said rallies.

Students usually find difficulty in going to and from their schools owing to the traffic congestion brought about by mass actions and fear of being caught in the middle of chaos or being hurt, he added.

Still under the policy, Lim said, demonstrators are allowed to rally on the said given days provided that they will occupy only half of Mendiola from Recto to Legarda.

Meanwhile, Lim called on would-be rallyists to police their own ranks and take it upon themselves to ensure that their mass actions will be peaceful and orderly.