Apec protest leader to PNP’s ‘Katy Perry’: Nothing cute about violated rights

Police fire water cannons at student activists as they clash near the venue hosting the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) summit in Manila, Philippines, Thursday, Nov. 19, 2015. Asia-Pacific leaders called Thursday for increased international cooperation in the fight against terrorism as they held annual talks overshadowed by the Paris attacks. AP

“There is nothing cute [about] having your right violated by the State.”

Thus said Renato Reyes, Jr., secretary general of Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan), who led some 2,500 protesters who flocked to the intersection of Buendia Avenue and Roxas Boulevard on the closing day of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) summit in Manila.

Reyes was reacting to the Philippine National Police’s (PNP) “secret weapon” to drown out protesters’ chant—playing pop music on loudspeakers, including hits from “Roar” singer Katy Perry. Some policemen tapped their batons against their shields in time with the beat of the music.

READ: Water cannon, ‘Katy Perry’ vs Apec protests | Dozens of anti-Apec protesters hurt in clash with cops in Pasay, say groups | Apec security measures ‘overkill,’ symbolic of failed policies—ex-solon

“Police truncheons did that, not Katy Perry. The PNP should stop trivializing the suppression of dissent,” Reyes said in a statement.

Members of various militant groups clashed with police forces on Thursday in an attempt to march to the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC), where Apec meetings were held. But the cops prevented them from marching using truncheons, shields, and water cannon.

READ: At least 28 protesters injured as police, militants clash in Buendia | ‘Apec fail?’ Some protesters don’t know what Apec means, but… | Police, lumad protesters clash at Baclaran church

Reyes said a total of 32 protesters were injured after the tension with the police. At least nine people were reportedly rushed to the hospital following the confrontation. CDG

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