PNP urges groups not to hold mass actions on Labor Day amid COVID-19 quarantines

The Philippine National Police (PNP) has asked labor organizations not to conduct mass actions on Labor Day, May 1.

In a virtual press briefing on Thursday, PNP chief Police General Archie Francisco Gamboa said the police were aware of the plans of some militant groups to stage assemblies and protest actions on Friday.

"Much as we respect their right to peaceably assemble, out of the exigency of the health crisis situation, we beg to discourage them from pursuing these plans for their own safety and in the best interest of public health," Gamboa said.

"Let me emphasize that the strict enforcement of the enhanced community quarantine is the State's fulfillment of its duty to protect the right to life of its people, especially against those who violate it by asserting their liberties, which in this case is not absolute, and which inevitably spreads the contagion further," he added.

The PNP chief warned that those who will violate the quarantine rules would be arrested and detained.

Fines can also be imposed, Gamboa added.

Under the enhanced community quarantine, any forms of mass gathering were prohibited to prevent the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019. The general public was encouraged to stay at home. -NB, GMA News