CAMP GENERAL ALEJO SANTOS, Bulacan-- In the aftermath of President Duterte’s 5th State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday (July 27), 18 persons were arrested in the City of San Jose Del Monte and Pandi town in Bulacan the same day.
City police chief Lt. Col. Gil Domingo reported to Bulacan police director Col. Lawrence B. Cajipe that the persons were arrested at a checkpoint held by San Jose Del Monte Police at Sapang Alat Bridge, Barangay San Manuel.
Domingo said his police team spotted a public utility jeepney (PUJ) plying the route Angat-Meycauayan-Garay overloaded with passengers. The police flagged down the vehicle for verification, but upon questioning, they discovered that the driver had no permits to travel or operate the vehicle, and he was not wearing a seatbelt.
They also discovered that the passengers were all UPOR (unauthorized persons outside residence) and they were recruited for a rally against the SONA of President Duterte. The 15 suspects, including the driver, were arrested for violating Republic Act No. 11332 or the Law on Reporting of Communicable Diseases.
Meanwhile, in a similar SONA-related incident, four suspects were arrested at the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) and Bureau of Jail Management Penology (BJMP) housing in Brgy. Cacarong Matanda, Pandi, for holding an unauthorized rally.
The patrolling police personnel of Pandi and Bulacan Provincial Intelligence Branch (PIB) saw members of urban poor group Kadamay holding placards and conducting a rally. The police officers approached the protesters and asked for their permit to rally.
When they could not show a permit, the officers advised them to go home, but instead of complying, the protestors reportedly persisted and pushed the police officers.
This fracas resulted in the arrest of four suspects, while the other Kadamay members fled on foot in different directions. The arrested suspects were brought to Pandi police station for further investigation.
Recovered from their possession were 14 carton placards and one cellphone. Bulacan police said they will not tolerate such activities and violations of guidelines that may bring a threat to public health, especially during this pandemic.