Vendors of Trabajo Market on Monday conducted a noise barrage to raise their concerns on the increase of commodity prices amid the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.
The retail prices of pork, chicken, fish, and vegetables have increased, even as the pandemic left thousands of Filipinos jobless and homeless.
Vendors displayed signages bearing their concerns with the goods that they were selling during their protest.
Members of militant organization Anakbayan Morayta joined the market vendors during the noise barrage.
"Kaisa ang kabataan sa laban ng mga manininda para sa pagbaba ng presyo ng bilihin at karapatan sa kabuhayan. Walang intimidasyon o bilang ng pulis ang makapipigil sa pagpapaingay ng panawagan ng masang api (The youth are one with the struggle of vendors for lowering the price of goods and the right for livelihood. No intimidation or number of police can stop the call of the oppressed masses)," Anakbayan Morayta wrote in a statement on Monday.
Elements of the police arrived before the said event took place and asked for a permit. Anakbayan Morayta claimed that the police confiscated some of the protesters' materials and dispersed them.
President Duterte signed a 60-day price cap on chicken and pork products sold in Metro Manila on Monday.