BACOLOD CITY — The Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) has filed charges of disobedience and direct assault against leaders and members of transport groups involved in a rally that turned violent along Lacson Street on Wednesday. The rally was held without a permit and led to injuries among police officers attempting to control the protest.
According to Philippines News Agency, the respondents, who belong to groups such as Bacolod Alliance of Commuters Operators and Drivers Inc. (Bacod)-Manibela, Kabacod Negros Transport Organization (Knetco), and United Negros Drivers and Operators Center-Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahan ng Tsuper at Operator Nationwide (Undoc-Piston), were protesting their exclusion from the Visayas Public Transportation Modernization Program Summit. Lt. Col. Joery Puerto, chief of BCPO’s City Investigation and Detection Management Unit, confirmed the filing of cases following inquest proceedings.
The police charged several leaders for disobedience, while one protester, Melchor Umangayon, faces charges of direct assault for allegedly injuring two police officers. He remains detained as of Thursday.