Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte said that the Local Government Unit of QC will not arrest protestors who will be caught burning effigies on the day of the State of the Nation Address (SONA).
Belmonte reiterated that the Batas Pambansa Bilang 880 (BP 880) or the Public Assembly Act of 1985 does not prohibit burning any objects in the street, an effigy for an example, during a rally demonstration. Provided that it will not be done within 100 meters from the area of assembly.
The mayor’s statement is in contrast with what the Philippine National Police (PNP) said that they will arrest anyone who will violate the provisions of BP 880 and the Clean Air Act.
In an interview for DZRH on July 18, PNP Spokesperson PCol. Jean Fajardo mentioned that the PNP is prepared to arrest anyone who will be caught violating the Clean Air Act and BBP 880 where she mentioned that burning of objects are prohibited.
Previously, the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan was charged with the violation of Section 13, 3 of the Public Assembly Act of 1985, following the burning of an effigy during a rally in July last year.
President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. will be delivering his third SONA tomorrow, July 22, at the Batasang Pambansa in Quezon City, where several rallies are expected to be conducted by progressive groups in the country.
