Six members of the League of the Filipino Students (LFS) were arrested on Tuesday morning after rallying in front of the United States Embassy in Manila to oppose the annual US-Philippines Balikatan Exercise.
The Philippine National Police (PNP) brought the six to Ermita Police Station 5.
In an interview with RH Noche Cacas, LFS National chairperson Ivan Sucgang said they are condemning the acts committed by the PNP.
"Sa panahon na nagdi-dispurse na kami, tapos na ang protesta, babanggain kami ng vehicle ng PNP sa gitna ng Roxas Blvd. Sa totoo, hindi kami naghahanap ng gulo, very organized ang protest namin. May mga traffic martials kami, may mga nag e-ensure ng security namin," he said.
"Pero itong PNP, nambabangga ng sasakyan nila, nanghuhuli, at nanakot which is a clear violations of our basic rights," Sucgang continued.
2 estudyante ang inaresto matapos magsagawa ng 'lightning rally' ang kanilang grupo sa harapan ng US Embassy para tutulan ang #Balikatan2023 | via RH27 @cacas_noche pic.twitter.com/4FGCEy17kf
— DZRH NEWS (@dzrhnews) April 10, 2023
According to the LFS National chairperson, the presence of the US Military in the country will not protect the security of Filipino, adding that the Balikatan will only endanger the lives of farmers and Indigenous groups.
"Dagdag pa dito, 'yung idudulot nito sa pagtaas ng tensyon sa West Philippine Sea 'diba? Sa totoo, sobrang init ng situation sa WPS sa pagitan ng China at US," he said.
The Balikatan exercises will start today, April 11.
A total of 17,000 PH and US personnel will join the exercises, the largest iteration of the annual joint military drills.
