Labor Day protests peaceful, but...

MANILA, Philippines —  Activities related to the observance of Labor Day alongside the transport strike were “generally peaceful,” the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) said yesterday, although militant groups briefly clashed with police in a protest near the US embassy in Manila.

NCRPO chief Maj. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said more than 12,000 police officers were deployed in Metro Manila to ensure public safety and security as this year’s Labor Day coincided with the conclusion of the three-day transport strike.

According to Nartatez, NCRPO officials were spread across different areas to monitor the protests staged by both labor groups and transport unions across the region.

Among the places monitored were the Quirino Grandstand in Ermita, Manila; Plaza Rajah Sulayman in Malate, Manila; Vinson’s Hall UP Diliman in Quezon City; National Library of the Philippines in Ermita, Manila and along Welcome Rotonda in Quezon City.

In Manila, protesters from various militant groups marched toward the corner of Roxas Boulevard and Kalaw Avenue where they were prevented from reaching the US embassy. They were met by dousing of water from fire trucks of the Bureau of Fire Protection that drenched both militants and law enforcers.

Cops arrested five men and a female for vandalizing a police truck, writing “Terorista!” and “Mamamatay-tao!” using red and black spray paint, according to Manila Police District spokesman Maj. Philipp Ines.

Ines did not mention which groups the arrested individuals came from.

They would be charged for vandalism, as well as violation of the Public Assembly Act of 1985 or Presidential Decree 880, resistance to persons in authority and alarm and scandal under Articles 151 and 155 of the Revised Penal Code.

Members of Bukluran ng Manggagawang Pilipino disbanded another police barricade near the corner of Recto and Morayta and marched toward Mendiola. Their program finished before 10 a.m.

Separate protests by members of militant women, labor and transport groups were also held at the headquarters of the Department of Labor and Employment in Intramuros, at Welcome Rotonda and Quirino Grandstand.

No injuries were reported during the rallies, but authorities noted some of the rallyists, particularly the elderly and children, fainted amid the heat.

Government workers from the Confederation for Unity, Recognition and Advancement of Government Employees (Courage) joined protests on Labor Day yesterday as they demanded President Marcos prioritize increasing their salaries instead of focusing on amending provisions of the 1987 Constitution.

“The most vulnerable sectors for low wages form the backbone of the government itself. It is time for Marcos Jr. to recognize and address the pressing issues affecting the livelihoods of the Filipino people,” Courage national president Santiago Dasmariñas Jr. said.

Pinagkaisang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operator Nationwide (PISTON) reiterated its call against the consolidation of franchises for public utility jeepneys, a program which the group said burdens PUJ operators and drivers with unjust and oppressive requirements. –  Ghio Ong, Emmanuel Tupas, Ramon Efren Lazaro, Ric Sapnu, Ed Amoroso