QCPD files more raps vs Manibela protesters

Transport groups Manibela and Piston staged a nationwide protest caravan from University Avenue in UP Diliman, Quezon City to Mendiola in Manila on January 16, 2024. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO/NIÑO JESUS ORBETA

MANILA, Philippines — In addition to charges of disturbing the peace last month, the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) has filed another ramp of charges against Manibela chair Mar Valbuena and others for holding a protest rally on May 6 without a permit from city hall.

QCPD said on Saturday that Valbuena, Reggie Manlapig and Alvin Reyes were charged with violations of Batas Pambansa 880 (Public Assembly Act of 1985) and the Revised Penal Code (alarm and scandal as well as resistance and disobedience).

The charges were in addition to similar disturbing the peace raps filed against Valbuena last month after Manibela held similar rallies on April 15 to April 16 without permits.

READ: QCPD files raps vs Manibela for disruptive behavior during strike

Aside from the two sets of cases, a Pasig City court on April 23 ordered Valbuena’s arrest in connection with the cyberlibel charges filed against him by Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista.

In 2023, Bautista filed the cyberlibel complaint in October 2023 after Valbuena accused him of alleged corruption in connection with the government’s Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP).

Manibela and the transport group Piston oppose the PUVMP, demanding that they be exempted from the program although majority of jeepney operators and drivers have already complied with requirements.

‘Grave inconvenience’

QCPD said that Manibela’s May 6 rally caused “grave public inconvenience and disturbance,” prompting the Batasan Police Station to dispatch its personnel to ensure peace and order in the rally in front of the Batasang Pambansa.

“Subsequently, said personnel asked for their permit, but unfortunately, they failed to present any documents or permits from the Quezon City Local Government, which violated the law for public assembly,” the police said.

“The QCPD condemned the acts shown by the leaders and members of the militant groups. Their actions were certainly uncalled for especially that our policemen are there to maintain peace and order considering that their assembly is illegal under BP 880,” it added.