Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte on Monday said the complaint regarding the police officers, who were holding a karaoke amidst the protest program of Southern Tagalog farmers and youth along Commonwealth Ave., has been referred to the Philippine National Police (PNP) for investigation.
In the video posted by Anakbayan member Rachelle Villamor on Twitter, two police officers, aboard in a cop mobile, were seen singing while the protesters were holding a program on the side.
Villamor expressed dismay at the police officers for their actions.
"Habang naglulunsad ng programa ang mga magsasaka at kabataan mula sa Southern Tagalog para ipahayag ang kalagayan at mga isyung bitbit nila ngayong araw, imbes na pakinggan, NAG-VIVIDEOKE ang QCPD para hindi marinig ang programa ng mamamayan," she lamented.
NAPAKABASTOS ng @ProudToBeQCPD. Habang naglulunsad ng programa ang mga magsasaka at kabataan mula sa Southern Tagalog para ipahayag ang kalagayan at mga isyung bitbit nila ngayong araw, imbes na pakinggan, NAG-VIVIDEOKE ang QCPD para hindi marinig ang programa ng mamamayan. pic.twitter.com/Kjyuz7boSX
— Rachelle Villamor (@RachVillamor) July 24, 2023
In a statement posted on Twitter, Belmonte said their investigation has shown that the police officers were members of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) and not Quezon City Police District (QCPD).
"Nakarating sa tanggapan ni Mayor Joy Belmonte ang inyong concern ukol sa mga pulis na nag-vi-videoke habang naglulunsad ng programa ang mga magsasaka at kabataan mula sa Southern Tagalog," she said.
"Ang inyong concern ay aming ipinahatid na sa PNP upang maaksyunan, at para masigurado na magiging malaya at mapayapa ang pagpapahayag ng mga raliyista sa kanilang mga hinaing," Belmonte added.
Nakarating sa tanggapan ni Mayor Joy Belmonte ang inyong concern ukol sa mga pulis na nag-vi-videoke habang naglulunsad ng programa ang mga magsasaka at kabataan mula sa Southern Tagalog. (1/3)
— Mayor Joy Belmonte (@QCMayorJoy) July 24, 2023
Southern Tagalog farmers and youths were among the protesters who conducted demonstrations in different locations hours ahead of President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr.'s second State of the Nation (SONA).
