By Yas Ocampo
DAVAO CITY -- Protests in the city were generally peaceful, even with effigies of President Rodrigo Duterte being burned in his own hometown by an opposition he once claimed to be part of.
The Davao City Police Office (DCPO) director Police Senior Superintendent Alexander Tagum (Robby Joy D. Salveron / davaotoday.com)
Around areas such as the Freedom Park across the Ateneo de Davao University and near the site of the deadly Roxas Night Market bombing, protesters held programs showing their disgust at the administration.
The Davao City Police Office (DCPO) said it exercised maximum tolerance at the protests, even as Mindanao has been placed under a state of martial law since May last year.
However, there was one apprehension, but it was reportedly a traffic violation.
Sr. Supt. Alexander Tagum, DCPO city director, told Manila Bulletin in an interview that the driver of an elf truck used by the Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) had "endangered" the lives of passengers.
According to Tagum, the passengers who were riding on the cargo area were holding effigies while the vehicle was in motion.
"We implement the law without fear or favor in our beloved City of Davao," Tagum said.
The driver's license was confiscated and the Highway Patrol Group issued a temporary operator's permit.
KMU Secretary General Carlo Olalo disagrees.
In a message sent to Manila Bulletin, the progressive group leader said Tagum and members of the HPG went to the KMU office after the protest to continue the apprehension.
Olalo said the protesters were only at the back of the truck after cleaning up the mess after the protest.
"This is a form of harassment," Olalo said.
The leader accused police and military of tailing them throughout the day, starting Monday morning, with agents reportedly blocking participants of the program coming into the city via the Task Force Davao Lasang entrance in the city's northern area.