The Philippine National Police has appealed to organizers of today's mass protests to ensure that rallyists observe physical distancing and other health protocols to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.
"Ipinapatong natin sa mga balikat ng organizers ang safety ng lahat ng dadalo roon at kung…mayroon mang mababalitaan na magkakasakit sa COVID-19 ay nakakalungkot naman (The responsibility of ensuring the safety of those joining today's protest actions falls on the organizers' shoulders. It will be sad if we hear news of rallyists contracting COVID-19)," said PNP spokesman Brig. Gen. Bernard Banac in a television interview Monday morning.
Rallies have been banned along Commonwealth Ave., the traditional venue for protest actions coinciding with President Rodrigo Duterte's State of the Nation Address.
The PNP, however, said rallies are allowed onside the University of the Philippines compound in Diliman, Quezon City.
“Mahalaga po [na] proteksyunan natin ang ating sarili, ang ating pamilya at huwag na tayong makadagdag pa roon sa mga magkakasakit at mga nasa ospital dahil alam naman nating kritikal ang numero mga hospital beds ngayon (It is important that we protect ourselves and ourselves. Let us not add to the number of infected patients. We know how the volume of hospital beds for COVID-19 patients are at critical levels now)," Banac added.