The Davao City Police Office (DCPO) explained that rallyists in front of the Sangguniang Panglungsod (SP) were dispersed by the police personnel on April 19, 2022 as they could not show a permit from the city government of Davao allowing them to conduct the protest rally.
About 30 environmental advocates of multi-sectoral group Sustainable Davao Movement conducted a protest rally against the proposed waste-to-energy (WTE) incinerator in Davao City in front of the SP building and called for the city government of Davao and the Davao City Council to reject the costly and polluting WTE incineration project and support genuine Zero Waste solutions.
“Maong nasita sila sa pulis kay wala sila’y mapakita na dokumento na nakakuha sila ug permit allowing them or mag-conduct didto ug rally. Positive man ilang advocacy supporting environment and promoting waste management, ang atoa gipasabot lang sila na kung aduna sila permit from the city government of Davao allowing them to, mag-rally didto na area ang police mu-secure ug mubantay lang na sila, in-case of eventualities pero kato man gud wala sila’y na present na permit nga issued by the city allowing them to conduct a rally,” said Maria Teresita Gaspan, spokesperson of DCPO on Wednesday.
Gaspan also clarified that a rally can only be held at Freedom Park in Roxas Avenue and must have a permit from the city government of Davao.
“However, that area dili siya, wala man ta gaingon nga bawal nga muhimo sila ug rally or demonstration pero dili siya considered or dili siya classified na Freedom Park. Of which kung mu- perform ka didto ug rally dapat they secured permit from the LGU. Gipasabot sa ila na ang Freedom Park kaning sa Roxas Avenue na area puwede sila didto magpadayag sa ilahang gusto ipadayag,” she said.
She also said what happened may be just a miscommunication of both parties.
“Seguro naa lang miscommunication sa both parties. On the part of DCPO gipasabot sa ilaha na wala man ta nagbawal na mupadayag sila sa ilahang freedom of expression in fact positive ang ilang advocacy,” she said.
Meanwhile, the protesters composed of environmental advocate maintained that although they had not secured a permit for the activity does not justify the heavy-handed actions of the police officers.
In a statement, the group stated that the use of force and threats was unnecessary as the protest was already ending and the participants were already departing the area.
The group also stressed that they were unaware of the need to secure a permit as they were informed of an activity held just this month in which the group was not asked for a permit and was allowed to conduct their program.
“Pre-pandemic, we were also able to hold sit-down protests without this tension. The police officers claimed that they were only doing their duty, but we ask: Does ths duty include creating an atmosphere of tension and harassment by their tone and actions? Does this duty include curtailment of free speech, and cutting the distribution of educational flyers on the sidewalk?” it said.
The group stated that what was meant to be a peaceful mobilization was disrupted by the forceful dispersal by members of the San Pedro Police Station. As the group was about to leave, two newly-arriving police officers snatched their banners and tore their placards.
The group reminded that Davao is known as a city of open spaces for dialogue and respect for civic rights and that the actions done by the DCPO personnel is an affront not only to the environmental advocates present but also to the Dabawenyos who will be affected by the WTE incinerator.
