QC police hold dialogue with Kadamay, community kitchen an issue

April 6, 2020

The Quezon City Police District (QCPD) on Monday said their personnel were dispatched in Sitio San Roque in Barangay Pagasa to conduct a dialogue with the Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap (Kadamay) group.

In a statement, Police Brigadier General Ronnie Montejo, QCPD director, said the group established a “Kadamay Kainang Bayan” for the residents. However, protest placards can be seen in the area.

Police spoke with members of Kadamay, led by a certain Estrelita Bagasbas.

“After a dialogue with the group of Bagaspas, the QCPD requested them to remove their protest placards which they voluntarily submitted to and reminded them to observe social or physical distancing,” Montejo said.

Montejo reiterated to the public that mass gatherings or protests such as what residents of Sitio San Roque staged last April 1 is a clear violation of the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) and other related laws to help prevent the widespread of  COVID-19.

“The QCPD further reiterates the stern warning of the Philippine National Police under the leadership of PNP Chief General Archie Gamboa of ‘firm and decisive police action’ against those who will organize and join ‘illegal mass actions’ amid the state of national health emergency due to the COVID-19 crisis,” Montejo said.

“Furthermore, we appeal to the public to stay home to save lives and strictly obey the laws, rules and policies pertaining to the ECQ,” he added.

But Kadamay said the community kitchen aims to pool  what little resources they have to feed each other during the pandemic which is causing massive hunger for the poor.

The community kitchen has been going on for the last three days.

Kadamay chairperson Gloria  Arellano said the kitchen also seeks to promote calls for the release of the P8, 000 social assistance to the poor (residents) as well as protection of human rights.

Kadamay claimed members of the PNP Station 2 entered the community and tore down the placards around the activity area ordering the residents to stop the activity.

“At first it’s only not allowed to go out, but now it is also not allowed to speak or share grievances on the government even if the people are already so hungry. What does (President Rodrigo) Duterte want? People should die first before they will be heard out?,” Arellano said.

She said they are  handling the release of the 21 San Roque residents who were demanding food.She said  the community has raised valuable points that public officials should be tackling.

Arellano also hit at the comment of PNP Station 2 Commander Rodrigo Soriano, who on seeing the community kitchens said “Is this needed?”.

“Because you are so full of abuses and power that is being given by your killer boss in Malacanang. The poor people are finding a way to eat but you are not allowing them,” she said.

Kadamay called the implementation of the quarantine as “anti-poor and pro-VIP” while also being the “criminalization of the poor and the hungry”.  Ella Dionsio/DMS