Four members of the cultural youth group ‘Panday Sining’ were invited to the Manila Police Station (MPD) on Saturday.
According to some reports, the said members of Panday Sining participated at the Bonifacio Day Rally along Taft Avenue when the authorities invited them to the police station.
Philippine Collegian, the official publication of the University of the Philippines Diliman claimed that Panday Sining members were “forcefully taken by authorities” while on their way to the Commission on Human Rights.
A video posted on Twitter shows how the cops took the members of Panday Sining.
PANOORIN: 4 na miyembro ng Panday Sining National, inaresto umano ng mga tauhan ng MPD habang papasakay ng jeep sa tapat ng San Sebastian Church sa Maynila. @DZMMTeleRadyo (? Panday Sining) pic.twitter.com/CgHJihkQ3a
— Zhander Cayabyab (@zhandercayabyab) November 30, 2019
Several supporters of Panday Sining quickly went to the Manila Police District to criticize the actions of the cops against the cultural youth group.
ARTISTA NG BAYAN, PALAYAIN!
Militant youth groups hold an indignation protest in front of the Manila Police District to condemn the coercive arrest of 4 Panday Sining members by police out of uniforms earlier during the Boni Day rally#AFPPNPBackOff pic.twitter.com/Y4rpAqPNxl
— Anakbayan UST (@AnakbayanUST) November 30, 2019
Panday Sining received criticisms from the netizens and also from Manila City Mayor Isko Moreno after they vandalized the newly-renovated Lagusnilad underpass several weeks ago.
They insisted that what they’re doing is not vandalism, but an act of art protest to express their beliefs in the form of art.
However, Moreno was not convinced by the explanation of the youth group.
Despite the warnings they received from Moreno, Panday Sining said that they’re still going to continue their activities.
One week ago, 9,849 people signed a petition urging the Manila City Government to file charges against the members of Panday Sining.
Manila Police District is not yet releasing a statement about why they invited the said members of the youth group to their station.