Groups demand release of activists arrested on Labor Day

MEMBERS of militant groups staged a protest action in front of the Manila City Hall on Monday to demand the immediate release of the so-called «Mayo Uno 6.»

Mayo Uno 6 refers to the six activists who were arrested on Labor Day.

Reports indicated that three of those arrested were students from the University of the Philippines Diliman, one from UP Manila, and two from Anakbayan group.

Manila Police District (MPD) spokesman Maj. Philipp Ines

During the Labor Day rally, police barricaded the protesters on Kalaw Avenue in an effort to disperse the group.

Firefighters also used water cannons to stop the militants from trying to breach the rows of police blocking their way. Several protesters got injured in the clash with anti-riot policemen wielding truncheons and shields.

Manila Police District (MPD) spokesman Maj. Philipp Ines said that the six were arrested for violating Revised Penal Code 151 for resistance and disobedience to a person in authority and Revised Penal Code 115 for conspiracy and proposal to commit treason.

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Members of the International League of Peoples' Struggle-Philippines, Kilusang Mayo Uno, Gabriela Philippines, Anakbayan, and other mass organizations joined the protest action that called for the immediate release of the six activists.

They also asked for a quick and impartial investigation into the MPD's failure to observe maximum tolerance during the rally, which they considered as «peaceful mobilization.»

«We also maintain that the arrest was unjustified given that the protesters were merely exercising their right to freedom of speech and peaceful assembly,» Anakbayan said.