THE Commission on Human Rights (CHR) has dispatched a quick response team to look into the dispersal of the annual Pride March in Manila and the arrest of 20 participants.
In a statement, the CHR Gender Equality and Women’s Human Rights Center (GEWHRC) called for the immediate release of the 20 people arrested by the Manila Police on June 26, 2020.
It said the team will investigate and document the arrest.
Read: 20 Pride March participants arrested
Police said the arrested individuals will be charged for violation of Republic Act 880 or Public Assembly Act and for disobedience to authority.
Those arrested were 10 members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) organization Bahaghari, eight allies, and two drivers. They were brought to the Manila Police District.
They were marching to Mendiola to protest against the anti-terrorism bill when the police dispersed them. The bill is awaiting the signature of President Rodrigo Duterte. (Jove Moya/SunStar Philippines)