MANILA, Philippines — The National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) defended the confiscation of protest materials at Quiapo Church in Manila on Monday, saying the police were merely responding to church security officials’ complaint about a group allegedly displaying placards inside the church. RESIST TERROR LAW!’ during the mass,” NCRPO chief Major Gen. Debold Sinas said in a statement on Wednesday. ADVERTISEMENTSinas also noted that the display of placards distracted other attendees of the mass. Henceforth, police officers responded to the report and confiscated the said placards. Sinas added that while the Metro Manila Police respects the protesters’ freedom of speech, it noted that church-goers must still observe the solemn celebration of Mass.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer July 29, 2020 01:30 UTC