The Marikina local government has ordered the release of 10 volunteer relief workers arrested this Friday, Labor Day.
In a statement, Marikina Mayor Marcy Teodoro said that the Philippine National Police (PNP) misunderstood the placards the workers were carrying and thought they were protesting.
“Nag-overreact ‘yung PNP, eh. Hindi dapat inaresto dahil wala namang ginagawang masama yung mga kababayan natin,” Teodoro said.
(The PNP overrated. They should not have been arrested because they are not harming our people.)
According to the Gabriela Women’s Party, volunteers from the Marikenya Marikenya were arrested, who were conducting community feeding in Marikina.
Those arrested included Lingap Gabriela member Dimple Paz, teachers from Batibot Learning Center Lita Malundras and Nel Artizuela, and seven drivers.
The mayor added that the arrested are strictly following social distancing, according to the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act.
“Maaring may placards silang dala pero May 1 ngayon, eh, bahagi ito ng pag-e-exercise nitong constitutional rights nila na freedom of expression,” the mayor added.
(They were carrying placards, but it is May 1 today, it is part of exercising their constitutional rights, the freedom of expression.)
“Pinapahayag lang nila ang pangangailangan para sa free mass testing. Dahil ‘yung mahihirap ito naman talaga ang hinihingi, eh, ‘yung libreng mass testing para sa ganun alam nila kung positive or negative sila sa COVID-19,” he said.
(They just declare the need for free mass testing. Because the poor are asking for it, eh, the free mass testing so they would know if they are positive or negative for COVID-19.)
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No case against 10 relief workers arrested in Marikina
Teodoro said the PNP had no case against the 10, especially since they had informed the local government unit of the relief and humanitarian aid.
The Gabriela Women’s Party and the Maritime and Maritime People’s Party (BMM) have vehemently opposed the arrest of 10.
According to Gabriela Rep. Arlene Brosas, the arrested were extending help in the city as volunteers in the community kitchen.
Brosas said the arrest of volunteers was a manifestation of President Rodrigo Duterte’s pressure to “suppress” critics and human rights bases.
According to Zena Bernardo, co-convenor of BMM, it was March 14 when they started building community kitchens in Marikina, which is now on its 30th day in 10 villages in Marikina.