Cops use water cannon on protesters vs. Marcos-Duterte proclamation

Police on Wednesday fired a water cannon on protesters in Quezon City who were objecting to the possible proclamation of presumptive president Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. and presumptive vice president Sara Duterte. 

Around 300 protesters were present when authorities blocked their way and trained water hoses on them, according to a report by Emil Sumangil on GTV's Balitanghali.

Anakbayan Bulacan said more than 10 people were injured after police personnel allegedly violently dispersed the protesters in front of the office of the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) in Quezon City.

“Tinatayang higit sa 10 indibidwal ang nagtamo ng injuries matapos ang marahas na dispersal kung saan  hinampas at binomba ng water cannon ng PNP ang mga rallyista sa isinagawang mapayapang pagkilos sa harap ng CHR ngayong araw,” it said in a Facebook post.

(Over 10 people were injured after the violent dispersal where the PNP hit and blasted water cannon on rallyists during the peaceful mobilization in front of the CHR today.)

The group said the protest action was against the supposed rush in the proclamation of Marcos-Duterte despite reports of alleged cheating in Eleksyon 2022.

Anakbayan condemned the actions of the Quezon City Police District (QCPD).

According to Super Radyo dzBB reporter Allan Gatus, authorities blocked the protesters on their way to the Batasan Complex, where the canvassing of votes is ongoing.

The QCPD public information office said they were still gathering reports on the incident. 

The CHR, meanwhile, urged policemen to exercise maximum tolerance during protests. 

“We emphasize that the right to peaceful assembly is a fundamental right that deserves equal protection as public safety and order,” the CHR said in a statement.

“In the conduct of public assemblies, non-violence and human rights standards must be observed at all times by all parties concerned,” it added.

Rallies and other gatherings without a permit are only allowed in freedom parks designated by the government, according to Batas Pambansa Bilang 880.

The law added that the military, police, and other peacekeeping authorities shall observe "maximum tolerance" during a public assembly or in the dispersal of the same.

The CHR said that it has deployed investigators to monitor the protest.

“CHR investigators will continue to monitor the situation according to our mandate,” it said.

“We equally urge the protesters to be responsible in the exercise of their rights,” it added. —Joviland Rita and Mel Matthew Doctor/KG/VBL, GMA News