The Philippine National Police (PNP) arbitrarily filed charges against 10 Makabayan Coalition senatorial candidates and other mass leaders for illegal assembly in connection with the protest action on November 30, 2024, Bonifacio Day, in Mendiola, Manila. The police used the Public Assembly Act or Batas Pambansa 880 to suppress the candidates and leaders.

Among those charged are Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) Secretary General Jerome Adonis, Makabayan President Liza Maza, ACT Teachers Partylist Rep. France Castro, Gabriela Partylist Rep. Arlene Brosas, Piston President Mody Floranda, Kadamay Secretary General Mimi Doringo, Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas Chairperson Danilo Ramos, Pamalakaya Vice Chair Ronnel Arambulo, Sandugo Co-Chair Amirah Lidasan, and Filipino Nurses United Secretary General Alyn Andamo. Also charged were former Bayan Muna Partylist Rep. Ferdie Gaite, Alliance of Concerned Teachers Chair Vladimer Quetua, and Alliance of Health Workers Secretary General Cristy Donguines.

Previously, KMU Chairperson Elmer “Ka Bong” Labog and Bayan Muna member Nilo Mortifero, who were illegally arrested by the police on the day of the protest, were also charged.

“This is clearly a suppression of the freedom of assembly and of the people who assert their rights and interests. The Manila Police District is wasting funds and time in focusing on protesters,” said KMU, the group that led the protest. The group added that the circus of filing charges diverts attention from the continuing corruption and plunder by those in government while the common people continue to suffer.

According to Makabayan, state forces commonly file shotgun or arbitrary cases against mass leaders. The coalition also mentioned that the sloppy and wholesale filing even misidentified Piston leader Floranda as “female” and Lidasan as a member of the teachers’ organization ACT.

“We are now in contact with the respondent leaders and their lawyers and will mount a strong legal defense against this latest harassment suit from the PNP,” Makabayan said. The practice of filing of fabricated cases of illegal assembly and criminalizing protests should stop.

The preliminary investigation into the case is scheduled for January 15 in Manila.