Elements of the Philippine National Police (PNP) successively arrested 76 activists and relief volunteers in Metro Manila, Rizal and Iloilo on Labor Day, May 1.

Ten volunteers were arrested in Marikina while conducting a feeding program for urban poor residents. Marikina City Mayor Marcy Teodoro ordered the release of the victims asserting that they have not violated any law.

In Quezon City, four youth volunteers and 14 residents were arrested while conducting a feeding program in Barangay Central. Four activists were also arrested in Valenzuela City for protesting at home and posting their demands on social media. Two workers were also arrested in Rodriguez, Rizal.

Forty-two individuals were arrested in Jaro District, Iloilo City while preparing for a caravan to condemn the recent killing of Bayan Muna coordinator Jose Reynaldo “Ka Jory” Porquia. The police filed criminal charges against Porquia’s daughter, colleagues and seven journalists. The 42 were only released after paying a bail of P12,000 each or a total of more than half a million pesos.

Porquia, 59, sustained nine bullet wounds after being shot by four unidentified male assailants in Barangay Santo Niño Norte, Iloilo City on April 30.

On the same day, elements of the 202nd Infantry Brigade illegally arrested 16 Coca-Cola workers in Santa Rosa, Laguna. The victims were brought to Camp Vicente Lim in Calamba City and were then presented before the media as “surrendered” members of the New People’s Army on Labor Day.