QC gov't probes commotion in front of DAR office

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Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte ordered the conduct of an investigation into the commotion between police personnel and farmers, who were holding a protest activity in front of the Department of Agrarian Reform's (DAR) office along Elliptical Road on Monday.

Belmonte said the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) should have exercised maximum tolerance.

"Pinaiimbestigahan na ni Mayor Joy Belmonte ang pangyayari. Gaya ng lagi, ang paniniwala ng Lungsod: Dapat panagutin ang sinuman na mapatutunayang gumamit ng kapangyarihan para manakit, manakot, o humadlang sa mapayapang pagpapahayag. Binigyang-diin ng alkalde ang atas na maximum tolerance dapat ang ipinapatupad ng QCPD," the QC government statement read.

(Mayor Joy Belmonte has ordered an investigation into the incident. As always, the City believes that anyone proven to have used power to hurt, intimidate, or obstruct peaceful expression must be held accountable. The mayor emphasized the directive that maximum tolerance should be implemented by the QCPD.)

The QCPD on Monday said they had a dialogue with a protest leader regarding their plan to established a temporary shelter beside DAR's premises.

However, the police said the protesters did not have the required permits for their plan. Yet, they still proceeded with setting up their shelter which prompted the police to dismantle it.

The QC government said that it was already late in the afternoon when they receive DAR's letter regarding the requested dialogue by the farmers.

"Gayunman, alas-singko ng hapon na kahapon nang makarating sa City Government ang sulat mula sa DAR tungkol rito."

(However, it was already 5:00 PM yesterday when the letter from DAR regarding this reached the City Government.)

"Malinaw ang paninindigan ng Pamahalaang Lungsod: dapat hayaang manatili ang mga magsasaka hanggang bukas ng tanghali, para sa kanilang mapayapa at maayos na pagkilos. Ang kanilang mga hinaing ay dapat pakinggan at tugunan sa pamamagitan ng dayalogo," the statement read.

(The position of the City Government is clear: the farmers should be allowed to stay until tomorrow noon for their peaceful and orderly mobilization. Their grievances should be listened to and addressed through dialogue.)

Earlier this morning, the city government said it already met with DAR, the QCPD, and representatives of the farmers, and it was agreed that peace, order, and safety should be maintained for everyone.

The farmers also assured that they would maintain order and cleanliness while in the area, the city government said.

Media

Meanwhile, the commotion on Monday also led to an altercation between a member of media and a police personnel.

"Initial reports indicate that a verbal altercation occurred involving an individual who identified himself as a member of the media and deployed police personnel. The individual allegedly uttered profane remarks and kicked several police personnel. In response, the officers intervened to prevent further escalation. The individual was subsequently released," the QCPD said in a statement.

The QCPD said that it is already investigating the matter.

"The QCPD is continuing its investigation to establish the full circumstances of the incident and determine whether any laws were violated. Any appropriate action shall be guided by verified evidence, applicable laws, and due process," it added. — BAP, GMA News