MANILA, Philippines — Police authorities on Monday arrested four protesters from transport group Piston who were aboard a jeepney in Quezon City.
National Capital Region Police Office chief Maj. Gen. Debold Sinas said jeepneys are not allowed to ply the roads thus the protesters were arrested.
“May isang jeepney na may pulang flag dyan sa may Quezon City Memorial Circle, nahuli. Apat na tao [ang nakasakay], dinala na sa Camp Karingal,” he said in a media briefing.
(There was one jeepney with a red flag and four passengers that was apprehended near QCMC. The passengers were brought to Camp Karingal.)
“Bawal ang jeep, at all means bawal ang jeep,” Sinas added.
(Jeepneys are prohibited.)
The Metro Manila police chief said the protesters will be processed for booking procedures in Quezon City Police District, which is headquartered in Camp Karingal.
Piston president Mody Floranda told INQUIRER.net that the jeepney was supposed to go to the University of Philippines – Diliman to join the mass protest for President Rodrigo Duterte’s fifth State of the Nation Address.
He said there were no guidelines stating that jeepneys were not allowed to ply the roads, only that protesters were not allowed along Commonwealth Avenue.
He added that the Piston members were not yet within the prohibited area, thus the transport group is condemning the arrest.
“Wala naman silang nilabas na guidelines na bawal ang jeep, ang bawal ay ‘yung protesters sa Commonwealth Avenue. Hindi pa sila saklaw sa bawal,” Floranda said.
(The police did not release guidelines stating that jeeps are prohibited. What is prohibited is protesters along Commonwealth Avenue.)