Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) stood firm against the Philippine National Police (PNP) threatening to file cases against activists and groups that joined the anti-corruption protests on September 4 and 5. State forces readily blame those expressing anger at corruption while doing nothing to hold accountable those who plundered billions of pesos in public funds, the group said

According to the Quezon City Police District (QCPD), it is preparing cases for alleged injuries to eight policemen who violently dispersed the rally in front of the House of Representatives on September 5. It also threatened to charge rallyists wth violation of Batas Pambansa Blg. 880 or the Public Assembly Act of 1985 because of the lack of a “permit.”

Pasig City Police also announced that it would “enforce” the law against the protesters in front of the building of the Discaya contractors company St. Gerrard Construction, in Pasig City. Groups stormed the Discaya office on September 4 to condemn corruption. In anger, they hurled mud at the gate and painted the words “magnanakaw” (thief) and “ikulong” (imprison).

According to Bayan, the threat of police charges reflects the bias of laws, institutions, and state forces in favor of the rich and their masters in government. However, the group declared, “this will not deter us from launching bigger and more militant protests against widespread corruption in government.”

Meanwhile, Bayan also called on national and local government officials to stop labeling the protests as mere “mob rule” or lynching for it undermines the Filipino people’s right to expression. “Do not divert the real issue by calling for calm amid the large-scale and systematic corruption in government,” it said.

Bayan is set to launch and lead protest actions in the coming days and weeks in different regions of the country against corruption.