MMDA Imposes Fine to Militant Groups for Leaving Tons of Garbage at Mendiola, Renato Reyes Complains

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) had imposed a fine to the militant groups and their leaders for leaving tons of garbage at Mendiola after their protest rally on Tuesday, May 1, Labor Day. However, Bayan secretary general Renato Reyes reacted negatively and called it as harassment against their freedom of expression.

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“Maraming nagpadala sa amin ng litrato at video ng mga basurang iniwan sa Mendiola matapos ang rally, kaya tingin ng MMDA kailangang may managot. Una po, kawawa naman ang ating mga street sweepers, lalo na at summer ngayon, sobrang init. Ikalawa, kailangan natin displinahin ang mga tao.” MMDA Spokesperson Celine Pialago told reporters, Wednesday.

(A lot of netizens sent us photos and videos of garbage in Mendiola that protesters left behind after the rally, which is why the MMDA thinks that someone should be held accountable. First, we pity our street sweepers especially now that it is summer, the weather is very hot. Second, we must discipline the public.)

As stated at MMDA Regulation No. 96-009 (Anti-Littering Law), littering, illegal dumping, and illegal disposal of garbage is strictly prohibited. Violators will fined P500 or to render community service for 8 hours. The law originally took effect on September 15, 1996, but was suspended in August 2002. It was implemented again starting September 16, 2010.

However, Pialago said the fine to be imposed to the militant groups will be much higher due to huge volume of garbage needed to be collected in Mendiola. She did not mentioned the exact amount of fine, but noted that MMDA is just doing its job as part of President Duterte’s order to strictly implement the law against stubborn offenders.

Meanwhile, Reyes admitted that some of Bayan members left their materials in Mendiola after the protest rally. However, he described the punishment as a way to silence them as critics of the Duterte administration. Nevertheless, the militant group leader said he will not pay the fine, and will not do the community service either.

“Hindi namin itinatanggi na marami kaming iniwan sa basura sa Mendiola, pero hindi ako magbabayad at hindi ako tatanggap ng kahit anong parusa. Tanggalin nila ang Train Law kasi yun ang basura. Nililihis nila ang isyu para makalimutan ng tao ang hindi natupad na pangako ng presidente na tanggalin ang Endo.” He said in a radio interview.



Aside from Bayan, among those thousands who joined the Labor Day 2018 protest rally in Metro Manila and other key cities in the country are Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU), Nagkaisa Labor coalition (NAGKAISA), and Samahan ng Progresibong Kabataan (Spark) and Workers’ Resistance against Tyranny and for Human Rights and Courage.

Contributed by Orlando Gagui