The Manila Collegian (MKulê) writer Lloyd Manango was finally released yesterday afternoon after being arrested earlier that day by the Manila Police District (MDP). Manango was covering a protest action near the US Embassy to denounce the three-day Asian tour of US President Joseph Biden.

MKulê, the official student publication of UP Manila, reported that the police included Manango in the protesters that would be dispersed. Though Manango tried to prove his identity by presenting his digital press ID, the MPD insisted that he must present a physical ID. Witnesses and companions also tried to vouch for Manango’s identity, but the MPD disregarded them. 

MKulê also reported that he was not read his Miranda rights during the arrest. The police did not also explain the reason for the arrest and why he was being taken to the Manila Police Station 5 in Ermita.

According to Manango, the MPD was threatening to arrest the protesters, claiming that the protest action was a violation of the Public Assembly Act–a law which requires groups to secure a permit before holding mobilizations. This, after Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso signed a memorandum on May 11 that strictly enforced the said act, in effect preventing protesters from organizing without permit from the city hall. The memorandum came after a string of protests erupted in Manila City over the alleged electoral fraud surrounding the May 9 polls.

“While we are well aware that this is meant to intimidate and prevent us from doing our job, we will never back down nor dispense our duty to provide critical reportage, especially now that another Marcos and Duterte are set to rule the country,” UP Solidaridad, the systemwide alliance of student publications and writers’ organizations, said in a statement shortly after Manango’s detention.

Meanwhile, College Editors Guild of the Philippines emphasized that Manango has every right to be present in protests and report them without threat and harm from authorities. They also called on members of the media to denounce the arrest especially with the looming threat of press freedom.

“We call on our fellow Guilders, campus press, and press freedom advocates to condemn the nabbing of Manango. This is a preview of what is about to come for the campus press freedom situation that we all shall not pass,” CEGP said. ●