Various personalities speak out vs. arrest of Pride March participants

On Saturday, the arrested protesters arrived at the Manila Prosecutor’s Office for inquest proceedings. (File photo: @GabrielaWomenPL/Twitter)

There is no way that a supporter of the LGBTQ+ community would stay silent on the news reports about the arrest of Pride March protesters in Mendiola, Manila.

“Is this the new normal?” These were the first words of Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray as she reacted to the arrest of the protesters that many netizens and other groups have been condemning.

“If proper health guidelines were being followed. (social distancing, mask-wearing) why the use of force? Why the withholding of rights (witnesses said they were not read their miranda rights before arrest nor given reason of arrest)? Videos circulating online confirm this,” she said.

Based on reports, at least 20 individuals at the Pride March who were expressing dissent on the passage of the anti-terrorism bill were arrested on Friday, June 25, despite observing physical distancing and other health protocols. Ten of those arrested are members of LGBTQ+ rights group Bahaghari, eight are from other progressive groups, while the other two are drivers. They were brought to the Manila Police District (MPD).

Photographer JL Javier shared a video clip of the incident on Twitter, where media was heard asking authorities about what the protesters supposedly violated but the police could not answer them. In an interview with GMA News Online, MPD General Assignment and Investigation Section chief Police Captain Arnold Echalar explained that the police were not allowed to speak with the media ‘to prevent technicality.’ He said the protesters were arrested due to illegal assembly and for supposedly violating the prohibition of mass gathering since Metro Manila is still under general community quarantine (GCQ).

In her post, Catriona said everyone has “the right to raise our voice.”

“Pride, since the beginning has been a protest. Now is the time to speak up,” she continued.

Sharing Javier’s footage, filmmaker Samantha Lee said the arrest only showed that there is a reason to be scared once the anti-terror bill is passed into law.

“For everyone who has ever said that we have disproportionately reacted to the Anti-Terrorism Bill, hindi po kami nakikibandwagon o nagpapadala sa ‘cute’ graphics, may dahilan tayo para mangamba (we are not bandwagoning nor being carried away by cute graphics, there is a reason to be afraid) #JUNKTERRORBILL,” the filmmaker tweeted.

Photographer BJ Pascual also lamented the arrest, saying such was happening already even though the controversial bill has not been signed yet by President Rodrigo Duterte.

“Ano pa kung naipasabatas na ito? Invalid pa rin ba ang fear sa pang-aabuso (What more if this has been passed into law? Is the fear of being abused still invalid)?” he asked.

Kabataan Representative Sarah Elago also lamented how a mañanita for a police general, referring to Metro Manila police chief Debold Sinas, with beers and no physical distancing was allowed, but not a protest for Pride Month that followed health protocols and only used placards.

“Mas maraming dahilan para lumaban para sa pantay na karapatan at hustisyang panlipunan (There are more reasons to fight for equal rights and social justice)! #FreePride20″ she tweeted.

Senator Risa Hontiveros, for her part, said it is ‘worrisome’ that members of the LGBTQ+ community and its allies who were conducting a peaceful protest and following social distancing were arrested during this Pride Month.

“Let’s not use the pandemic to further trample on our citizens’ basic rights. Pride and activism are not terrorism,” the senator said.

“Magtataka pa rin ba tayo kung bakit takot ang mga tao sa Anti- Terror Law? Huwag nating kalimutan: COVID ang kalaban, hindi ang mamamayan (Are we still going to wonder why people are afraid of the Anti-Terror Law? Let’s not forget: COVID is the enemy, not the citizens),” she added.

Other groups like Anakbayan, Gabriela Women’s Party, and the Commission on Human Rights (CHR), among others, also condemned the arrest.

On Saturday, the arrested protesters arrived at the Manila Prosecutor’s Office for inquest proceedings.