MANILA, Philippines—Philippine National Police chief Gen. Guillermo Eleazar on Monday (Aug 30) said police will keep an eye on the planned protests of health care workers.
In a video message, the police chief said police respect the right of health care workers to air grievances and are confident the protesters will observe health protocols.
“The PNP respects the right of our health care workers to hold protest actions to air their concerns and grievances,” Eleazar said.
“We at the PNP also trust their wisdom and respect their own initiative to protect themselves since observance of health protocols is part of their line of work. But our local personnel will monitor this activity,” he added.
Eleazar said police are aware of the hard work and sacrifices of health care workers and those who died in the line of duty.
Many health care workers are demanding the release of their special risk allowances and benefits, as well as the resignation of Health Secretary Francisco Duque.
A number of workers staged simultaneous protests on Monday, which coincided with National Heroes Day.
With the raging pandemic, health care workers have been hailed as heroes for risking their own health and lives in the fight against COVID.
Several groups of health care workers, however, said the Duterte administration’s description of medical frontline workers as heroes was just lip service.