The Quezon City Police District (QCPD) on Friday, Aug. 25, filed charges against a protester who burned the effigy of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. at a rally during his State of the Nation Address (SONA) 2023.
Police said one Max Santiago and three other members of the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN) burned the effigy of the President during a gathering of protesters along Commonwealth Avenue in Barangay UP Campus, Quezon City last July 24.
QCPD director Brig. Gen. Nicolas D. Torre III said Santiago was charged for violation of Section 48, Paragraph 3, which prohibits burning of solid wastes, under Republic Act 9003 (Ecological Waste Management Act of 2000), and Republic Act 8749 or the Clean Air Act.
The charges were filed at the Quezon City Prosecutor's Office on Aug. 7
Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN) president Renato Jr. Reyes, on Wednesday, Aug. 23, posted on Facebook that they view the complaint filed against Santiago as an attack to freedom of expression.
Reyes asked the artists’ community to support the charged members and to stand firm on their right to freedom of expression.
He also stated that the case was a clear act of repression.
Earlier, the QCPD filed charges for violation of Batas Pambansa Blg. 880 or The Public Assembly Act of 1985 against 14 officials of progressive groups for allegedly staging a rally without permit during the President's SONA.