MANILA, Philippines — A Caloocan court on Friday acquitted six jeepney drivers who were arrested by police for protesting the restrictions imposed by the government at the height of the COVID pandemic in 2020.
In a resolution, Caloocan City Metropolitan Trial Court Branch 83 Judge Marlo Campanilla granted the demurrer to evidence filed by Pinagkaisang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operator Nationwide deputy secretary general Ruben Baylon and PISTON members Severino Ramos, Wilson Ranilla, Ramon Paloma, Elmer Cordero and Arsenio Ymas Jr.
“The prosecution failed to present evidence to establish the lawfulness of the dispersal order, which is an indispensable element of the crime of disobedience,” Campanilla’s decision read.
“In view of the absence of the essential element of existence of lawful order given by the responding policemen to the rallyists/accused, the prosecution’s evidence is insufficient to prove the guilt of the accused on the crime of disobedience beyond reasonable doubt,” the judge said.
The drivers, collectively known as PISTON 6, were arrested and charged with simple resistance and disobedience for holding a rally in Monumento on June 2, 2020.
They were seeking the resumption of their operations when police dispersed and arrested them.
Former president Rodrigo Duterte imposed strict lockdown measures and shut down economic activity during the early stages of the COVID pandemic.
Baylon lauded the court’s decision on their case, which he said showed the Duterte administration’s penchant to suppress any form of dissent.