MANILA, Philippines (Updated 6:36 p.m.) — Police arrested 20 protesters on Friday during a lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) community-organized protest against the controversial anti-terror bill in Mendiola Street, Manila.
This was confirmed by Police Lt. Col. Carlo Manuel, Manila Police District spokesperson, to GMA News.
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Rights group Karapatan said 20 individuals from groups Bahaghari, Gabriela and the Children’s Rehabilitation Center, were arrested — 13 of whom are members of the LGBTQ+ community.
Bahaghari also confirmed that Rey Valmores-Salinas, the group's campaign spokesperson, was among those arrested.
In a video posted by Twitter user JL Javier, police are seen refusing to answer the media when asked which quarantine guidelines were violated by the protestors being arrested.
Inaresto ng mga pulis ‘yung mga nagrarally sa Mendiola galing sa @Bahaghari_Natl at iba pang organisasyon kahit walang masabing violation. pic.twitter.com/Kk7qvcWKVw
— JL #OUSTDUTERTE (@jltjavier) June 26, 2020
"They were not informed of any charges when they were accosted. What a way to commemorate pride in [the Philippines, national police!]" Karapatan Secreteray Cristina Palabay said.
Police Brig. Gen. Rolly Miranda, MPD chief, later told GMA News that the protesters were arrested for not having a rally permit and for violating general community quarantine (GCQ) guidelines.
Bahaghari said in a tweet that they were complying with social distancing and minimum health standards issued by the government against COVID-19.
Rep. Sarah Elago (Kabataan party-list) slammed the arrests, saying the right to peaceful assembly is not suspended during public health emergencies.
The Commission on Human Rights made a similar statement on June 10, saying authorities cannot “halt fundamental rights including freedom of peaceful assembly and activism” even amid community quarantine.
Police also attempted to arrest an intern of independent news group Manila Today who was covering the protest.
The College Editors Guild of the Philipines (CEGP) said cops also took protesters' car keys.
PNP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Bernard Banac told PSN that they are monitoring reports on the incident from the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO).
Palabay in a statement pointed out that today’s arrests were "not the first time that the police and other law enforcement officials attacked the LGBTQ+ community under the guise of enforcing lockdown measures."
She was referring to an incident reported by Rappler, wherein three members of LGBTQ+ community in Brgy. Pandacaqui in Mexico, Pampanga were ordered to kiss each other and to inappropriately dance in front of a minor for violating the city’s curfew.