Organizers of the “Baha sa Luneta 2.0” protest on Roxas Boulevard were unable to set up their stage early Sunday after police allegedly blocked their assembly over the absence of a permit, the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN) said.
RH Jecelle Ricafort reports that according to BAYAN Secretary General Mong Palatino, officers stopped their group along the stretch of Roxas Boulevard and insisted on seeing a permit before allowing the installation of the stage.
Palatino said the group was supposed to complete the setup and accompanying road closure as early as midnight.
“Nakapagtataka na ang hinahanap nila sa amin ngayon [ay] permit. Samantalang noong September 21 naman wala ring permit, may protesta… Hinaharangan tayo ng pulis at ito ay kinokondena natin,” Palatino said.
Despite this, he stressed that the rally had already been coordinated with the Manila City government and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), which he said had assured them of logistical assistance.
“We believe the ongoing attempt to derail the Luneta protest is linked to the overkill, unnecessary, disproportionate, and paranoid security preparations around the vicinity of Recto, Mendiola, and Malacañang,” Palatino added.
As of 7:40 a.m., the group Tambol Bayan was allowed to perform at Luneta for 30 minutes.
According to group member Nikki Sangil, the Tactical Motorcycle Riding Unit of the Ermita Police insisted that the activity had no permit.
Organizers earlier said that “Baha sa Luneta 2.0” will officially start at 9 a.m. and end at 12 p.m.
