MANILA, 25 September 2005 — Cabinet officials and police yesterday denied opposition claims of a looming dictatorial regime, saying President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo does not need to declare martial law to deal with street protests seeking her ouster.

Opposition groups had suggested that Arroyo would resort to emergency rule to suppress continued unrest following the defeat of moves to impeach her on vote-rigging, bribery and other charges.

The Philippine National Police said anti-Arroyo protesters who hold demonstrations without a permit would be arrested but denied that such an action was a prelude to martial law.

“We are just implementing law enforcement for the rule of law to prevail. That’s definitely not martial law,” said PNP spokesman Chief Supt. Leopoldo Bataoil.

Asked whether the PNP was aware of a supposed draft presidential proclamation on emergency rule, he said: “You better ask the DOJ (Department of Justice). As far as the PNP is concerned, our hands are full in the implementation of existing laws.

“We’re just focused on our law enforcement function,” Bataoil said.

The Inquirer, quoting former Solicitor General Francisco Chavez and Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay, reported yesterday that the Department of Justice had drafted a presidential proclamation that stops short of declaring martial law.

Justice Secretary Raul Gonzales denied this.

“That is totally false. There is no such (proclamation),” he told ANC television.

Gonzales assured the public that he would not advise the president to impose martial rule as “the climate in Congress will not allow it,” citing expected immediate opposition from lawmakers.

He said, however, he has ordered a study of emergency steps to be taken if the economy deteriorates due to rising oil prices, citing constitutional provisions allowing a temporary government takeover of vital industries.

Filipinos are wary of martial law after dictator Ferdinand Marcos used it in 1972 to padlock Congress, jail his opponents and critics, and rule by decree until he was ousted in a “people power” revolt in 1986.

Presidential spokesman Ignacio Bunye also dismissed speculation that Arroyo was considering martial law.

Calibrated Response

“So-called emergency rule is far-fetched,” Bunye said in a statement yesterday. “Current threats and emergency situations can be handily covered by the police and the local governments.”

He said the government’s “pre-emptive calibrated response (to protest rallies) does not mean that it is poised for the exercise of martial powers.”

On Wednesday, when 5,000 anti-Arroyo protesters marked the 33rd anniversary of the declaration of martial law by Marcos, Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita warned that the government would disperse rallies without permits and arrest those involved.

Ermita, a senior Cabinet member, said the move follows intelligence reports of “credible plans of anti-government groups to inflame the political situation, sow disorder and incite people against the duly constituted authorities.”

Later, Arroyo said her government “will not tolerate” rallies that block traffic, hinder commerce and hurt the economy. “Our government respects the rights of our people to assemble and to petition the government for redress of grievances. However, these rights, as guaranteed by the constitution, are not absolute,” she said in a statement.

Just Like Marcos

Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay has described President Arroyo’s get-tough policy as “tantamount” to martial law.

The peasant group Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas said the president’s new policy meant only that she had banned legal forms of dissent, just like the dictator Ferdinand Marcos did 33 years ago.

According to KMP president Danilo Ramos, Arroyo “can now be considered the biggest threat to national security by essentially banning legal forms of dissent and planning to destroy legal militant organizations.”

“We will not be surprised if the ranks of the New People’s Army will swell because now its most effective recruiter is the president herself,” Ramos said.

In Baguio City, militant groups said the new policy was meant to stop protest actions. “(We) expected it because a new wave of protests is in the offing and (Arroyo) wants to dampen it with a crackdown,” said Bayan Muna national vice chair Manuel Loste.

Joan Carling, chair of the Cordillera Peoples Alliance, said Arroyo’s threat to stop street protests was a “direct violation” of the fundamental freedoms guaranteed by the constitution. She said militant groups would continue to criticize Arroyo’s “anti-people policies” through street protests.

Tacit Approval

Amid criticisms, the head of the influential Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) yesterday gave tacit support to Arroyo’s crackdown on unauthorized street protests.

“People have the right to assemble and express dissent peacefully but within the bounds of law. (But) this right is not absolute and is limited with the rights of others,” said Archbishop Fernando Capalla in a statement.

Also yesterday, the head of the influential Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) gave tacit support to Arroyo’s crackdown on unauthorized street protests. “People have the right to assemble and express dissent peacefully but within the bounds of law. (But) this right is not absolute and is limited with the rights of others,” said Archbishop Fernando Capalla in a statement.

Church leaders wield great influence in this largely-Roman Catholic nation. Outspoken bishops played a key role in sparking the street protests that turned into general uprisings, ousting then-presidents Ferdinand Marcos and Joseph Estrada in 1986 and 2001 respectively.

While some bishops are critical of Arroyo, the bishops’ conference urged the public to “move forward” and avoid excessive politicking after the opposition’s impeachment complaint against her was quashed. (With input from AP & Inquirer News Service)