UNLIKE in previous years where protesters gather at the freedom park in Davao City during the Labor Day celebration, the Davao City Police Office (DCPO) has not monitored any protests on the streets in the wake of a public health emergency.
DCPO director Police Colonel Kirby John Kraft said Friday, May 1, that progressive groups did not conduct a rally and no public assembly was also held during enhanced community quarantine (ECQ).
Kraft said policemen in Davao City are on full alert to enforce the provisions of the ECQ to address the rising of coronavirus disease (Covid-19) cases in the city. This includes the prohibition of conducting mass gatherings that may further spread the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).
“Nega(tive) po sila sa street. Bawal (ang) mass gathering,” Kraft said.
Violators will face charges should they do not adhere to the guidelines set by the government.
The pandemic, meanwhile, did not stop the labor group Kilusang Mayo Uno-Southern Mindanao Region (KMU-SMR) to air their sentiments to the government. Instead of staging a demonstration on the streets, they conducted an online protest to highlight the grievances against the government in addressing the crisis.
In their Facebook live, KMU SMR and its alliances called on the government to fast track mass testing to enhance detection of the virus.
KMU-SMR acknowledged that the pandemic has displaced several workers due to the virus and negatively affected the underprivileged community who are most affected by the crisis. The group challenged the government to intensify the distribution of assistance to affected residents.
The members of the labor group also lambasted President Rodrigo Duterte for his alleged inaction to prevent the spread of the virus by allowing Chinese nationals to enter the country although there have been cases in their country, citing his close ties with the Chinese government.
The group encouraged the displaced workers who did not receive cash assistance such as Covid-19 adjustment measures program (Camp), social amelioration program (SAP), relief goods, small business wage subsidy (SBWS), and Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Displaced / Disadvantaged Workers Program (Tupad) to also come forward.