NBI probes rally of QC residents for possible quarantine violations

MANILA, Philippines — The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) is now probing the protest by residents of Sitio San Roque in Barangay Bagong Pag-asa, Quezon City that resulted into the arrest of several individuals.

The NBI, however, did not say what violations the organizers of the rally or local government officials may be facing.

“We are looking also at what happened sa (in) QC, ‘yung (that which involves) Kadamay… I do not have the details yet. I was informed by the anti-graft (division) that we are also looking into that,” NBI Deputy Director Ferdinand Lavin said in an interview with ABS-CBN News Channel.

Asked who the NBI will summon to explain about the protest, he said: “The barangay captain, possibly the mayor—depends on how the situation will develop.”

Around 150 people from the sitio flocked to the side of EDSA on Wednesday morning to call for aid from the local government amid the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) being enforced in Luzon. Under the ECQ, mass gatherings are strictly prohibited to prevent the spread of the coronavirus disease.

Some 20 residents were arrested as the police dispersed the protest.

Police Lt. Gen. Guillermo Eleazar, deputy chief for operations of the Philippine National Police, said a group had spread false information to the residents about the supposed distribution of food aid and other assistance, prompting them to rush out of their homes.

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) blamed urban poor group Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap (Kadamay) for instigating the residents to stage the rally.

Addressing the incident, the local government of Quezon City said there has been “continuous distribution of food packs throughout the city, both from the local government and the barangays to ensure that affected families are looked after during this crisis period.”

EDV