6 arrested PISTON drivers yet to post bail –Eleazar

The six PISTON drivers who were arrested last week after they allegedly failed to observe social distancing during a rally have yet to post bail, Philippine National Police Deputy Chief for Operations Police Lieutenant General Guillermo Eleazar said Monday.

"As per our monitoring ay hindi pa po sila mapiyansahan. Pero sa araw po na ito, dahil Monday, baka po sakali na makalabas na sila. And 'yun naman po ay nasa proseso din, 'yun po ang kanilang disposition," Eleazar told Unang Balita in an interview.

The six jeepney drivers were arrested last June 2 in Caloocan City for allegedly violating the city ordinance on social distancing, the ban on any forms of mass gathering amid the COVID-19 pandemic, and resistance and disobedience to a person in authority.

The drivers, among them a 72-year-old man, were protesting the government's continuous prohibition of jeepney operations under the general community quarantine which they said is affecting their livelihood.

The Commision on Human Rights (CHR) has expressed concern over the arrest of the individuals, noting that some of the drivers belong to the vulnerable sector who are most at risk for contracting COVID-19. --Anna Felicia Bajo/KBK, GMA News