Labor Day protests: Some went online, a few took to the streets and got arrested

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) thanked progressive groups for taking their protest for commemoration of Labor Day through online conference, instead of staging rallies in the streets which would violate lockdown protocols.

“Elsewhere across the country, many local labor and transport organizations totally abandoned earlier plans coordinated by militant umbrella organizations to stage public assemblies, and instead took their mass action to cyberspace via Zoom and Facebook platforms — safely and orderly without any risk to public health,” PNP spokesman Brig. Gen. Bernard Banac said in a statement on Friday.

Banac, however, noted some isolated incidents such as the arrest of 10 local transport groups members who organized a rally in Marikina City and 20 suspected Kilusang Mayo Uno members who also staged a protest in Rizal province.

“In isolated developments, however, hourly Situation Reports from the field indicate the arrest of ten members of local transport groups led by a certain Joann Bernadette, Bayan Muna organizer that held a lightning rally at the Marikina Riverbanks this morning,” Banac said.

Also arrested were two men identified as Clarito A Rastica and Reynaldo B Dulay, who reportedly led some 20 alleged KMU members who held a lightning rally in Eastwing Subdivision, Brgy San Isidro, Rodriguez, Rizal.

Meanwhile, Banac gave assurance that it will continue to look out for violations during the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) even as they recorded a peaceful Labor Day celebration.

“The Philippine National Police noted a peaceful, orderly and uneventful observance of Labor Day across the country,” Banac said.

PNP Chief, Police General Archie Francisco F Gamboa and the PNP Battle Staff were monitoring Labor Day and ECQ-related incidents from all 17 Police Regional Offices thru the PNP Command Center at the National Headquarters, he claimed.

Gamboa on Thursday warned of arrests for groups who will hold a mass protest in the streets in violation of lockdown protocols.

EDV