MANILA, Philippines — The Quezon City Police District (QCPD) has released the 21 residents of Sitio San Roque who protested the government’s lack of support following the order of the Quezon City Metropolitan Trial Court (QC MTC) to set them free.
In a statement, QCPD director Brig. Gen. Ronnie Montejo said that the protesters—16 are male and five are female—were released at 6 p.m. on Monday after they received a copy of the release order from presiding judge Peter Abelita of QC MTC Branch 22.
All of them posted a bail of P15,000, Montejo added.
The protesting residents lamented how they did not receive food packs being distributed by the local government during the Luzon-wide enhanced community quarantine period, which later led to their arrest for conducting a rally without a permit.
All protestors were slapped with charges for violating Republic Act (RA) 11469 or the Bayanihan To Heal As One Act, RA 11332 or the Mandatory Reporting of Notifiable Diseases and Health Events of Public Health Concern Act in Relation to RA 922, and violation of Article 151 or Resistance and Disobedience to a Person in Authority or Agents.
They were later aided by famous personalities, such as the family of Sen. Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan and actors Enchong Dee, Jodi Sta. Maria and Ria Atayde, for the payment of legal fees.
After spending five days in detention at Camp Karingal, the QC MTC ordered the release of the protesters on Monday.