Police confiscating placards responded to church security officers report: NCRPO

July 28, 2020

The chief of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) on Tuesday said policemen who were seen confiscating placards and other paraphernalia were asked by church security officers after it was pulled out by a militant group during a mass in Quiapo church last Monday.

“Based on the report of Manila Police District, I would like to clarify that responding police officers received a report from church security officers that members of Akbayan Party List pulled out a placard and publicly displayed it during the mass,” Police Major General Debold Sinas said in a statement.

Sinas said the placard reads: “IPAGLABAN ANG KALAYAAN! RESIST TERROR LAW!” (Fight for freedom! Resist Terror Law!)

The NCRPO chief said the scene distracted other churchgoers inside the Quiapo Church, affecting solemnity of the mass.

A SONA Mass for Peace and Justice was held at Quiapo Church for President Rodrigo Duterte’s 5th State of the Nation Address (SONA).

He said police officers confiscated the placards.

“In its highest form, NCRPO respects human rights and freedom of speech. However, we would like to emphasize that we must observe the solemn celebration of the mass and find appropriate place to air grievances,” said Sinas.

“At the same time, we respect the sacred place where not only the partylists are welcome but everyone who wishes to hear the gospel. Thus, we will not tolerate such deplorable acts for the benefit of all, especially of the ordinary people,” he added.

For their part, the Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene or Quiapo Church expressed disappointment on the action of the militant group.

Rev. Fr. Douglas Badong, parochial vicar of Quiapo Church, said they asked the involved individuals to stop pulling out placards and giving out pamphlets inside the church.

“That is not the venue for them to express that kind of placard.Maybe the way the police confiscate is too much because the rallyists does not want to listen. Our mass is a peaceful way so there is no need for placards or flyers,” Badong said.

Badong said the incident happened during the offertory.

“It’s (a) wrong time and wrong venue because that is a mass… We are one with them in expressing their disapproval with the law but there is a right venue for it,” Badong said. Ella Dionisio/DMS