Iloilo City police lift permit requirement for Trillion Peso March
By Tara Yap
PEOPLE protest against corruption in Iloilo City. (Panay Today)
ILOILO CITY – The Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO) lifted the “No permit, No rally” policy for the Trillion Peso March against corruption on Sunday, Sept. 21.
ICPO chief Col. Kim Legada announced the lifting of the policy following pronouncements by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.
Legada earlier said “assemblies without proper permits will be considered unlawful.”
This was opposed by activists and reminded the police that freedom of speech and the right of people to assemble peacefully are guaranteed by Section 4 of the Bill of Rights under the 1987 Constitution.
Police backtracked when the President, the commander-in-chief, publicly said he would join protesters if he was not president.
ICPO urged a peaceful protest.
“Let us make this activity peaceful and orderly, free from any actions that may cause harm or disrupt the community,” Legada said.
The ICPO is coordinating with the Public Order and Safety Management Office (POSMO) of the Iloilo City government for security preparations.
Police Major Shella Mae Sangrines, ICPO public information chief, said its Civil Disturbance Management Unit (CDMU) will be on standby.