Protest rallies ‘temporarily banned’ – Guevarra

MANILA, Philippines – Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra on Thursday said mass gatherings including protest rallies are “temporarily banned” for public health reasons.

“Violations may give rise to penal sanctions under existing public health laws, not under criminal laws,” Guevarra told reporters.

Guevarra issued the warning after members of the Movement Against Tyranny and other cause-oriented already announced that they intend to hold a “mañanita” protest to celebrate the country’s 122nd independence day.

He added that protesters should at least consider the position of Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Eduardo Año that there are safer ways to express one’s protest during this period of a public health emergency.