Comedian-host Vice Ganda has urged Manila Mayor Isko Moreno to help the protesters arrested at the Pride march against the controversial anti-terror bill in Mendiola, Manila on Friday.
Twenty participants of the LGBTQIA+-led Pride Protest Against Tyranny rally were apprehended by the police.
A STAR report said police dispersed the rallyists for allegedly violating the Batas Pambansa 860, or the public assembly law, by holding a rally in a public place without a permit, and quarantine protocols.
“There is a rule of law in Manila. They violated it that is why they were arrested and charged,” said Manila Police District director Brig. General Rolando Miranda.
Rey Salinas of the Bahaghari protest group, however, defended their protest action and said police could not initially tell what they violated.
“They said we were not observing social distancing but that’s not true,” said Salinas.
On Twitter, netizens were quick to express their dismay on the incident and called for the immediate release of the detained protesters with the hashtag #FreePride20.
Vice Ganda also took to Twitter to question the arrests and asked Manila Mayor Isko Moreno to act on the matter.
“Anu tooooooooo????? Pakiexplain po? Saklolo naman po dyan Yorme!!!! Sa aking pagkakaalam LGBTQIA+ friendly ang Maynila at si Yorme. Beke nemeenn!!!,” wrote Vice Ganda.
In 2019, Mayor Isko unveiled a Pride flag-inspired pedestrian lane in his city to show support for the LGBTQIA+ community.
“Pinangako ko sa (I promised the) LGBT society that we just want to show you in our own little way how sensitive we are with your plight,” he said.
In a Facebook post, Bahaghari group said they have sought legal assistance regarding the bail of the detained protesters, and donations for their needs, including swab tests.
