Showdown

It was a showdown of sorts last weekend when police used water cannons to a rally which was composed of bishops, priests, nuns and some prominent political figures.

The rallyists, of course, denounced it and are even willing to make a complaint on the United Nations Human Rights Commission. They branded it as an act of "brute force" that curtails the freedom of expression and even went as far as oppressing the freedom to religion, since they say that it was a "religious assembly of prayers and procession." They said that they have the proper permit to demonstrate and these acts were desperate tactics to keep GMA in power.





On the other side of the fence, Malacanang insisted that what happened was not out of bounds since some of the rallyists broke from the line and went towards Mendiola, where they were not given permission. The police ground commander at that time said that is is a judgement call and that's why they resorted to the water cannons to enforce the law, as what was the instruction on President Arroyo's CPR (calibrated preemptive response).

I feel that what happened this weekend will lead to something bigger. Especially when it was just a week ago that rumors about GMA's plan of a martial law is on the spin.

Again, this will divide an already torned-out nation. Of course the rallyists will have the upper hand on this because the rallyists were composed of religious figures and members of the highest quadrants of the Roman Catholic Church in the Philippines. Also, a TV shot of a former Vice-President who is well known for his integrity all soaked up is not really a sight to see. As of late one of the bishops who were cannoned, Novaliches Bishop Antonio Tobias, said that this time it is "the Holy Spirit vs. President Arroyo."

On the other hand, Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye said that "It is high time we put sense and order in our society." The Police also said that what they did was right because the protesters clearly did not follow what was agreed upon especially when a splinter group broke away towards Mendiola.

Personally, I am tired of mass actions. I've been one and during the early part of my college years, I've been a regular attendee. The thing is, the only thing applausable to it that I have observed were the participants' zeal and passion about what they are fighting for and what they believe in. However, is rallying still effective?

It did before. People Power one and two were the children of mass demonstrations. Those were the times that the clear majority believed in one thing and with one voice, they shooed away the present tenant of Malacanang that time.

The thing is two people powers were equivalent to two chances spoiled by this country. We were lucky even to get a second chance. But nonetheless, we spoiled it.

But is it different this time? I tend to agree. Mass demonstrations hurt our country more than it could help it. Mass actions, which were intended to clean out the system, has been corrupted in itself. I pity the zealed people who goes out to the streets for their belief, but the thing is they are not aware, or is it their being naive?, that they are being used by outmoded politicians or losing candidates to get back in power.

I know that we Filipinos are intelligent. We know that there are other ways to change the system than going to the streets. We should not remain stagnant. We go rallying under the heat of the sun, but the people who we are rallying against are in the comforts of their air conditioned office. Clearly, no messages were transmitted nor understood.

Amado Gat. Inciong, who also spoke at the gathering that was hosed down, said that at present rallies may no longer be effective as means of seeking government redress of grievances. "If you still think that rallies are effective ways of registering protest, forget it," he said.

"So where else should we be headed for?" he added.

Then let the debates about this begin.