MPD defends confiscation of placards during Quiapo Mass, ready to face complaints

The chief of the Manila Police District on Tuesday defended the confiscation of anti-government placards that some churchgoers brought to a Holy Mass at the Quiapo Church on Monday, hours before President Rodrigo Duterte's fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA).

Police Brigadier General Rolando Miranda told GMA News Online by phone that by bringing the placards to the church, the persons -- believed to be members of leftist group Akbayan -- obviously had other motives than just hearing Mass.

"Kung ang tao ay magsisimba, hindi dapat sila maglaladlad ng placard sa loob ng simbahan na anti-government... Dahil marami ding nagsisimba doon na maaabala at magtataka bakit may ganoon," Miranda said.

"Kung gusto nila magsimba, iniwan sana nila 'yung mga placards nila sa labas... kahit ano sabihin nila, kung mali 'yung ginawa ng pulis, mas mali 'yung ginawa nilang magdala ng placard sa loob ng simbahan... Ang ginawa nila pinaglalabas nila 'yung placard at the middle of the mass, siyempre 'yung iba maaapektuhan din. Sinira nila 'yung solemnity ng misa," Miranda added.

According to the MPD chief, around 40 protesters, allegedly from leftist group Akbayan, were there at the back portion of the Quiapo Church.

"'Yung mga Akbayan na 'yan, 'yan ang ginawa nila kahapon. May pictures kami na naka-display 'yung kanilang anti-government placards habang nasa loob ng simbahan. Simba ba talaga pinunta nila doon o iba?" Miranda asked.

Miranda said a staff of the church approached the police to inform them that there were rallyists with placards inside the church. Due to this, the cops confiscated the placards so that tension would no longer escalate as he believes that after the Mass, the group was set to hold a protest action to mark Duterte's SONA.

On Monday, Super Radyo dzBB reporter Isa Umali tweeted a video from the office of Senator Risa Hontiveros showing two policemen seizing the placards of an individual even though the Mass was still ongoing.

When cops seized the placards, no commotion transpired, according to Miranda. He also noted that no arrest was made.

Asked why cops did not wait for the Mass to be finished before getting the placards, Miranda said this could even result in commotion.

"Kung hinintay naming matapos ang misa, magtatakbuhan sila sa labas at doon sila magsisisigaw, mas magulo 'yon. Pag-aarestuhin ko sila, maswerte sila hindi ko sila inaresto. Kung pinabayaan kong mag-escalate 'yan, mas nakakahiya. Magkakaroon ng commotion," Miranda said.

Miranda said the individuals could file a complaint against the cops if they wish to. "Puwede naman sila magreklamo. Ano irereklamo nila? Wala naman kaming violation sa kanila," he said. —KBK, GMA News