Labor NGO Center for Trade Union and Human Rights (CTUHR) condemns the Philippine National Police (PNP) Manila Police District (MPD) for filing an illegal assembly case against labor leaders, progressive legislators, and leaders of peoples’ organizations in relation to the protest held on November 30, 2024, Andres Bonifacio Day. 

It will be recalled that, on that day, policemen blocked protesters from reaching Mendiola, which rests at the foot of the Malacañang presidential palace and the most well-known traditional venue of protests in Metro Manila and the country. 

When the protesters insisted on marching, the police used force against them, injuring 40. When they were already holding a program in Mendiola, the police arrested Nilo Mortifero, a senior citizen and a member of Bayan Muna Partylist. The PNP threatened to file a case against Mortifero and national labor center Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU, May First Movement) chairperson Elmer “Ka Bong” Labog. 

In a document dated December 17, 2024, the PNP-MPD filed cases against Mortifero, Labog and the 10 senatorial candidates of the Makabayang Koalisyon ng Mamamayan or Makabayan: KMU secretary general Jerome Adonis, Makabayan president Liza Maza, ACT Teachers Partylist Rep. France Castro, Gabriela Partylist Rep. Arlene Brosas, Piston president Mody Floranda, Kadamay secretary general Mimi Doringo, Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas chairperson Danilo Ramos, Pamalakaya vice chair Ronnel Arambulo, Sandugo co-chair Amirah Lidasan, and Filipino Nurses United secretary general Alyn Andamo. 

Also included in the MPD’s case are former Bayan Muna Partylist Rep. Ferdie Gaite, Alliance of Concerned Teachers chair Vladimer Quetua and Alliance of Health Workers secretary general Cristy Donguines. The complainants are led by MPD station commander Police Lieutenant Colonel Wilfredo L. Fabros, Jr. 

The MPD and the PNP should be ashamed of themselves, as they are showing the world that they disregard Filipinos’ right to freedom of opinion and expression and of peaceful assembly and association. Since when did protesting in Mendiola become illegal? Since when did the PNP have the right to prevent people from marching to Mendiola to hold a protest? 

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr should walk his talk of upholding human rights and protecting the country’s democracy. He should instruct the PNP-MPD to withdraw this case and respect the human rights of workers and all Filipinos. The case is a throwback to the Marcos dictatorship, as it is based on the dictator’s Public Assembly Act or Batas Pambansa 880. The PNP-MPD and the entire MPD should study and uphold the human rights of the Filipino workers and people.