Tension arose during the protest of LGBT groups in Mendiola on Friday morning when police personnel started apprehending 20 of their members.
The individuals were brought to the Manila Police District (MPD) headquarters. The police will charge them with violation of RA 11332 or non-cooperation during a health crisis, Article 151 of Revised Penal Code or disobedience to authority, and organization of illegal assembly.
“Wala naman silang maipakitang permit doon sa kanilang pagtitipon-tipon at alam naman natin nasa general community quarantine pa rin tayo (They failed to show permit for the gatherings, and we are all aware that we are still under GCQ),” MPD Spokesperson PLtCol. Carlo Manuel explained.
The MPD said it is investigating the alleged defiance of a member of the group when the latter was approached before the arrest.
“Vine-verify natin kung totoo man na mayroong di umano, na isang raliyista, parang may ini-spray na unknown liquid sa pulis natin (We are verifying if the alleged spraying of an unknown liquid to our cops by a rallyist is true).”
The LGBT group Bahaghari denied the claim and emphasized that they properly expressed their concerns on issues such as COVID-19 testing, the Anti-Terror Bill, and jeepney phase-out.
“Wala po kaming dala na kung anumang armas or mga anumang pwedeng mapanakit na gamit. Ang dala lang po namin ay mga panawagan at saloobin namin bilang isang komunidad (We did not bring any weapons or harmful equipment. We only brought our pleas and sentiments as a community),” Bahaghari National Spokesperson Rey Valmores-Salinas said.
The group is planning to file a complaint against the cops who allegedly hijacked their vehicles going to the MPD headquarters. “We’re thinking of filing charges kasi somehow carnapping ‘yong nangyari (We’re thinking of filing charges because what happened is somehow carnapping),” Atty. Fudge Tajar said.
Report from Patrick de Jesus
