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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Metro Manila devider Mayor Belmonte hits dispersal of students by police during House protest

Mayor Belmonte hits dispersal of students by police during House protest

Published Feb 13, 2024 01:59 am

Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte on Monday, Feb. 12, condemned the dispersal of students by the police during a protest in front of the House of the Representatives.

qc mayor joy belmonte.jpg
Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte

“Mariin nating kinokondena ang dispersal ng mga pulis sa mga estudyante na nagpapahayag ng kanilang saloobin sa isang mahalagang isyu sa House of Representatives (We strongly condemn the dispersal of students by the police while expressing their opinions on an important issue at the House of Representatives),” she said.

“Walang puwang ang ganitong aksyon sa lungsod, lalo pa’t kilala ang Quezon City bilang lugar kung saan malayang nakakapagtipon at nakakapagpahayag ng saloobin at karapatan ang iba’t ibang grupo (Such actions have no place in the city, especially considering that Quezon City is known as a place where various groups can freely assemble and express their rights and opinions),” Belmonte added.

Belmonte reminded Quezon City Police District (QCPD) Director Brig. Gen. Redrico Maranan that they will not tolerate behavior that harms people.

Meanwhile, Maranan immediately instructed the Internal Affairs Service to investigate if there were violations of Police Operational Procedures.

Maranan also met with the station commander of Batasan Police and instructed them to remind their personnel about the proper actions to take during protest activities.

The QCPD said it temporarily replaced the current Civil Disturbance Managment (CDM) contingent that maintains the peace and order in the House of Representatives.

“Tayo rin ay lubos na nananawagan sa lahat ng mga nais gamitin ang kanilang karapatan sa mapayapang pagtitipon at pagpapahayag na laging sumunod sa lahat ng mga alituntunin at sa mga umiiral na batas upang mapanatili ang kaayusan at kapayapaan (We also earnestly call on all those who wish to exercise their rights to peaceful assembly and expression to always adhere to all guidelines and existing laws to maintain order and peace),” it added.

The QCPD reafirms its commitment to respect and recognize human rights, free expression, and peaceful assembly.

On Monday, Feb. 12, a video posted by The Catalyst, Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP)’s official student publication, showing police officers armed with riot shield and truncheons forcefully pushing students protesting against the lack of student representation in the hearing on the National Polytechnic University (NPU) Bill at the House of Representatives.

According to The Catalyst, the committee-level hearings were ongoing without a single student invited as a resource speaker.

It added that scholars were concerned about the possible commercialization and privatization of the school if the NPU Bill is enacted, which would further hinder the students' access to affordable education.

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