MANILA, Philippines — A police officer in civilian clothes attempted to snatch the phone of an urban poor activist who was participating in pickets at the House of Representatives and at the Quezon City hall. In a statement, the Save San Roque Alliance said that the volunteer, whose name was withheld on request, was trying to "film the intelligence officer who followed them from Batasan" to the city hall when the officer, irritated by her filming, grabbed her phone. Philstar.com sought comment from the Quezon City Police District through its public information office but has yet to receive a response. However, PNP leadership has said that documenting potential cases of abuse of power is not prohibited. Sitio San Roque residents also denounce the lack of overall support of the government for the urban poor who are one of the most vulnerable to the ill-effects of the COVID-19 crisis.

Source: Philippine Star May 18, 2021 04:18 UTC