QCPD chief says complaints filed vs. Sitio San Roque protesters

The chief of the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) on Friday said complaints have already been filed with the City Prosecutor's Office against the 21 residents of Sitio San Roque who staged a protest as they appealed for food assistance during this period of strict quarantine.

"Yes, 'yung 21 po, limang babae, 16 na lalaki... na-file na po sa Prosecutor's Office. Hinihintay lang po natin 'yung resolution saka approval ng chief inquest officer," QCPD chief Police Brigadier General Ronnie Montejo said during a virtual press briefing.

Montejo said the residents are still detained at the QCPD Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit in Camp Karingal.

Police earlier said the residents would be facing charges for alleged violations of Republic Act 11469 (Bayanihan to Heal As One Act), Republic Act 11332 (Mandatory Reporting of Notifiable Diseases and Health Events of Public Health Concern Act) in relation to Republic Act 922, and Article 151 of the Revised Penal Code (Resistance and Disobedience to a Person in Authority or Agents).

Meanwhile, National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) chief Police Major General Debold Sinas reiterated his appeal to the public to follow orders of authorities and stay inside their residences so that the incident will not happen again.

"Nakikiusap na lang sana kami na sana sa mga kababayan natin, kung puwede habang implemented pa po ang enhanced community quarantine ay sumunod lang tayo," Sinas said.

"Kung gusto nila ng tulong, magsabi sila. Hindi kailangan ganito na ipunin 'yung iba," he added.

The 21 residents were arrested on Wednesday after they reportedly formed a barricade along EDSA service road as they appealed for assistance from the local government.

Following this incident, the local government of Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte instructed city personnel to review the list of the recipients of the food assistance to make sure nobody has been inadvertently left out.

On April 2, officials of Barangay Bagong Pag-asa and some City Hall staff led the distribution of aid to San Roque residents. — Anna Felicia Bajo/RSJ, GMA News