Gamboa cites ‘early voluntary dispersal’ of Independence Day rallies

MANILA, Philippines — Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Archie Gamboa on Friday noted the “early voluntary dispersal” of some rallies staged in celebration of Independence Day and recognized protesters “for their cooperation” in maintaining health protocols and other measures against COVID-19.

“(PNP chief Gen. Archie) Gamboa thanked the public for their cooperation and for heeding the call of the PNP to avoid mass gatherings as a public health measure against the spread of COVID-19,” PNP spokesman Brig. Gen. Bernard Banac said in a statement.

“He cited the early voluntary dispersal of some public assemblies at UP Diliman, De La Salle University; St.Ignatius Quezon City; Santiago City, Isabela, Baguio City, Legazpi City, and Metro Colon, Cebu City,” he added.

Banac also said all rallies remained “orderly and in compliance with minimum health standards.”

He then assured the public that police units will remain in “perennial public assembly venues” to ensure that physical distancing is being followed.

Several progressive groups trooped to the University of the Philippines campus in Diliman Quezon City to conduct the “Grand Mañanita” protest, which is a jab at the May 8 birthday serenade of Maj. Gen. Debold Sinas, chief of the National Capital Region Police Office.

Meanwhile, 16 members of two youth organizations in Iligan City were detained for holding protests that called for mass testing and junking of the anti-terror bill. The groups, however, claimed they were arrested by police without providing clear violations of the law.