After Manila balaclava ban, PNP warns Nov. 30 protesters not to wear face coverings

The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Wednesday warned protesters who will join the November 30 rally at the Luneta Park against wearing the balaclava and other face coverings that were recently banned by the city government of Manila.

In a press conference, PNP spokesperson Police Brigadier General Randulf Tuaño said the local government may reject the protesters' future applications for rally permits if they violate Manila’s anti-balaclava ordinance.

“Isa sa prerequisite o requirement ng mga city government ngayon, bago sila aprubahan, yung permit na hinihingi na magsagawa ng rally, ito po ay pinapaloob nila sa kanilang memorandum of understanding (MOU). Specifically, ito po yung mga pinababawal nila,” Tuaño said.

(One of the prerequisites or requirements of city governments right now for rally permits is a memorandum of understanding. Specifically, these are the things they prohibit.)

“Kapag ito po ay nakita nila na may paglabag sa MOU, na halimbawa, yung sa balaclava o pagtatakip ng mukha, ito ay magiging reason para sa mga future ng mga applications po nila para po hindi na ma-aprubahan yung mga grupo na lalabag po dito,” he added.

(When they see a violation of the MOU, for example, the one on balaclava or face covering, this will be a reason for the rejection of their future applications.)

The PNP official made the remarks after the Manila Public Information Office publicized the anti-balaclava ordinance, or Ordinance No. 9134, on its Facebook page.

“Ipinagbabawal nito ang pagsusuot ng balaclava, face mask (maliban kung pangkalusugan), hoodies na nakatakip ang mukha, at anumang headgear na nagtatago ng pagkakilanlan sa loob ng commercial at government buildings, at kapag nakababa o naka-standby sa motorsiklo,” the Manila PIO said.

The first offense is punishable by a P1,000 fine while the second offense’s penalty is a P3,000 fine.

For the third and succeeding offenses, violators may face a P5,000 fine, imprisonment for 15 days, and the possible revocation of their driver’s license. — JMA, GMA Integrated News