PNP: Find alternative ways to protest amid pandemic

The Philippine National Police (PNP) has asked the public to find other ways to protest the policies of the government without violating quarantine protocols while the country continues to struggle with COVID-19.

“We are tolerant before the pandemic kahit wala silang permit and they do not hold it sa mga freedom parks, but ngayon kasi we are in a situation na may pandemic (We were tolerant before the pandemic even if they have no permit and they do not hold it at freedom parks, but now we are in a situation of pandemic). And we have added demand from the public to do less mass gatherings and observe social distancing,” PNP Chief Archie Gamboa said.

“Kaya openly nga sinasabi ko na as much as possible, the right to express opinion can be done in some other ways. Huwag naman mass gatherings kasi mayroon tayong kinakaharap na problema, which is the [COVID-19] pandemic,” he added.

(That’s why we say that as much as possible, the right to express opinion can be exercised in other ways. Not in mass gatherings because we are facing a problem, which is the COVID-19 pandemic)

Gamboa issued the statement following the holding of protest actions at the University of the Philippines (UP) in Quezon City and in Cebu. 

The PNP chief reiterated that they will strictly implement the quarantine protocols of the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF), particularly on mass gatherings and social distancing measures.

He emphasized that the COVID-19 threat remains even if the IATF has already eased up quarantine measures nationwide.

Gamboa also said that the public need not worry about the anti-terror law since it contains safeguards for the public’s protection.