The Manila Police District (MPD) on Tuesday (April 20) said that gathering the personal information of the organizers of the Pandacan community pantry was done for "security reasons."
MPD Director Brig. Gen. Leo Francisco said that they are creating a sector wherein people from community pantries can be their partners.
However, he said joining them and giving them information is only voluntary and they should not be forced to do it.
"May binubuo kaming mga iba't ibang sectors para sa mga force multipliers namin at isa yan sa mga sectors of society, however are all VOLUNTARY (We have different sectors for our force multipliers and that is one of the sectors of society. However, these are all voluntary)," Francisco told Manila Bulletin in a text message.
"In our side we need to know the person/s and organizations as the case maybe who will voluntarily be our partners. Kaya we have to have some infos about them for security reasons. Yun lang purpose nyan (On our side, we need to know the person/s and organizations as the case maybe who will voluntarily be our partners. So, we have to have some information about them for security reasons. That's the only purpose)," he added.
Francisco said it is also their duty to ensure that minimum health standards are being followed.
"Alam mo duty namin yun kaya.. we have to maintain order sa mga places merong community pantries (You know, it's our duty so, we have to maintain order in places with community pantries)," he said.
In a Facebook post on Monday (April 19), Manila resident Marikit Arellano shared that police elements went to their community pantry in Pandacan and asked for their personal information and affiliation.
Arellano added that the police asked them to fill out a "personal profile" form.
The Pandacan community pantry was temporarily closed on Tuesday after the incident.