LGBT marchers observing social distancing arrested, packed in police vehicles

Participants in the Gay Pride rally wearing face masks were several inches away from each other as they marched along Mendiola in Manila when dozens of police blocked their way and started arrested them for allegedly violation of safety protocols.

According to Oscar Oida's report on "24 Oras," at least 20 marchers were arrested and were crammed in police vehicles, ignoring social distancing.

"Mapayapa po ang naging programa namin. Nag-observe po kami ng social distancing. Wala po kaming na-violate na mga rules," Rey Salinas of the group Bahaghari said.

"Pero nagkagulo po nung sumipot ang dose-dosenang kapulisan na naka full-riot gear kahit wala naman kaming dala na kahit anong pang-laban," she added.

The rallyists were calling for respect and humane treatement to members of the LGBT community, a stop to bullying, junking of anti-terror bill, among others.

Police authorities said they pleaded with the group to leave as they were violating safety protocols such as social distancing and the prohibition of mass gathering.

"Ang unang violation ng mga ito ay 'yung tinatawag natin na illegal assembly kasi nu'ng tinignan nila wala namang permit," Police Colonel Carlo Magno said.

"Ang purpose lang naman ng ating mga kapulisan, kausapin sila at pakiuasapan na idisperse 'yung kanilang hanay since wala naman silang permit para mag-assemble at ngayon ay nasa ilalim tayo ng tinatawag na community quarantine," he added.

The rallyists will face charges for violation of RA 11332 or non-cooperation during health crisis, according to authorities.

Bayan Muna Representative Eufemia Cullamat condemned the arrest of the marchers, calling this illegal.

"Mariin kong kinokondena ang marahas na dispersal at iligal na pag-aresto sa mga kapatid nating LGBT, kasama dito ang mga miyembro ng Bahagri, Bayan Muna, at Gabriela," Cullamat said.

"Dapat silang agarang i-release. Itigil ang terorismo ng kapulisan," she added. —Joahna Lei Casilao/LDF, GMA News