QCPD rounds up 20 protesters demanding food aid from gov’t

Members of the Samahan Ng Magkakapitbahay ng Barangay San Roque stage a protest along Edsa in Barangay Bagong Pag-Asa in Quezon City to demand food assistance from the government in the midst of the enhanced community quarantine. Photo from QCPD-PIO

MANILA, Philippines — Police officers arrested 20 protesters along Edsa in Barangay Bagong Pag-asa in Quezon City on Wednesday for allegedly staging a rally without a permit, while calling on the government to provide them with food packs.

In an initial report from the Quezon City Police District (QCPD), elements of Masambong police station arrested 20 rallyists who are members of Samahan Ng Magkakapitbahay, which is led by residents of Sitio San Roque, Quezon City.

Photo from QCPD-PIO

Lt. Col. Rodrigo Soriano, Masambong police commander, said in a text message that the rallyists were calling out the government for allegedly failing to provide them with food packs during the quarantine period.

“(Dahil sa) pagkain. Wala daw silang  natatanggap from barangay captain at kay mayor,” Soriano said when asked about the rallyists’ complaints.

(Because of food. They are saying that they have not received any food supply from the barangay captain and their mayor.)

The protesters are detained at the QCPD—Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit (CIDU) for appropriate filing of charges.

Edited by JPV