The Quezon City Police District (QCPD) explained its side on alleged harassment and violence done by its personnel during the dispersal of a group distributing alcohol and facemask in front of the President Corazon C. Aquino Elementary School in Barangay Batasan Hills, Quezon City on Monday, Aug. 22.
According to QCPD, a concerned citizen informed the Batasan Police Station (PS 6) about a rally being staged by members of Salinlahi Youth in front of the school at around 8:30 a.m.
Before the rally and dispersal took place, the group initially asked permission from the QCPD Police Assistance Desk to hold an alcohol and face mask donation drive for children.
The police allowed the group to organize the donation drive near the school gate.
"However, they suddenly brought out streamers and placards and were about to hold a program right in front of the gate of Corazon Aquino Elementary School causing disruption of the entry of parents and students thereat resulting in long lines in the queuing," the QCPD said in a statement on Monday.
The QCPD responded and requested the group to remove their protest placards as they might bring fear to children and parents entering the school.
Despite the warning, the protesters refused to follow and leave the area, prompting the QCPD to disperse the group and confiscate their streamers and placards.
“We do not discredit any group, instead we encourage BAYANIHAN spirit in support to “BALIK ESKWELA 2022," QCPD director Brig. Gen. Nicolas D. Torre III said.
"The QCPD personnel will always observe maximum tolerance but will strictly enforce the law especially in dealing with protesters; however, if the latter exhibits unruly behaviour, we will not be lenient in ensuring public safety towards the attainment of orderly and peaceful face-to-face classes," the QCPD said.
“Ang kapulisan ng QCPD ay patuloy na magbabantay sa mga paaralan upang masiguro ang kaligtasan ng mga mag-aaral at upang mapanatili ang kaayusan at kapayapaan dito sa Lungsod Quezon (QCPD police will continue to secure schools to ensure students' safety and maintain order and peace in Quezon City)," the district director said. (Diann Ivy Calucin)