Bayan Secretary-General Renato Reyes. INQUIRER.net file photo / NOY MORCOSO
MANILA, Philippines — Militant group Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) condemned the arrest on Wednesday of some Quezon City residents who took to the streets to demand food supply or financial assistance from the government in the midst of the Luzon-wide enhanced community quarantine (ECQ).
“Mariin naming kinokondena ang pandarahas at pag-aresto sa mga taong nagugutom at humihingi ng pagkain at kagyat na tulong mula sa gobyerno [We strongly condemn the violence and the arrest made against those who are hungry and only asking for food and urgent help from the government],” Bayan secretary-general Renato Reyes said in a statement.
Reyes questioned why the police had to arrest the protesters who are starving and simply demanding food from the government. He also asked where the P200-bilion fund alloted by the national government for low-income families affected by the quarantine goes to given this heated scenario.
“Masasagot ba ng pandarahas ang kalam ng sikmura nila? Sila ba ay hahayaan na lang nating tahimik na mamatay sa gutom [Will violence be the solution to their hunger? Will we allow them to silently die due to hunger]?” he said.
In its initial report, the Masambong police said 20 “protesters,” composed of 14 male and six female residents of barangay Bagong Paga-asa were arrested “for staging a rally without any permit issued by proper authorities.”
The arrested individuals were brought to the Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit of the Quezon City Police District for the filing of charges against them.
Residents in Luzon were ordered to stay in their homes since the ECQ took effect on March 17 until it ends at midnight of April 13. Mass gatherings are also prohibited as the government implements strict social distancing to prevent the spread of the coronavirus disease.
Police reportedly told the residents to just go home while their request will be relayed to the local government but the residents refused.
Videos from the scene along Edsa corner Kilyawan Street showed the police placing handcuffs on some of the residents. Slippers left by some residents during the incident as well as broken bottles were also seen in the area. They also reportedly set up a barricade along the area before being dispersed by the police.