The National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) has defended its personnel who held a karaoke amidst a protest program of demonstrators along Commonwealth Ave., Quezon City on Monday, July 24, the second State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos.
In an interview with the media, NCRPO Chief BGen. Melencio Nartatez said the videoke was only meant for entertainment to energize cops who were manning the rallies during those times.
"It is not intended for anybody," he added.
NCRPO iginiit na walang nakikitang mali sa pagbi-videoke ng ilang tauhan ng pulis kasabay rally ng mga militante sa Commonwealth Ave. @dzrhnews #SONA2023 pic.twitter.com/Ldhe4DBaKa
— Edniel Parrosa (@ednielparrosa) July 24, 2023
Nartatez also regarded singing as a way to boost the morale of NCRPO personnel.
When asked if the actions were a "blatant disrespect to the demonstrators", the NCRPO official firmly said, "in any way, it's not".
On Monday morning, farmers and youth hailing from Southern Tagalog conducted a protest program to raise various issues ahead of Marcos' 2nd SONA.
But amidst the program, two police officers, aboard a cop mobile, were seen singing out loud.
Anakbayan member Rachelle Villamor took video footage of the cops and expressed her dismay at their actions.
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 tweet, Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte said that the complaint has reached her office and had been referred to the Philippine National Police (PNP) for investigation.
