Manila: Cases to be filed against those responsible for the violence during the Sept. 21 rallies that left several people injured, including almost 100 police officers, will be airtight, Philippine National Police (PNP) acting chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said Tuesday.
According to Philippines News Agency, Nartatez stated that police investigators are diligently gathering crucial evidence through interrogations of arrested suspects and reviews of social media posts as part of their legal strategy against those involved in the unrest. ‘The investigation is ongoing… Let us allow our investigators to focus on their job. Pero ang tinitiyak ng PNP sa ating mga kababayan sa ngayon ay mananagot ang lahat ng may kinalaman dito (But what the PNP is assuring right now is that everyone involved will be held accountable),’ Nartatez declared.
Police officers assigned to oversee the anti-corruption protests on Sunday were explicitly instructed to maintain maximum tolerance. The demonstrations proceeded peacefully until a group of masked individuals began inciting violence in the afternoon, initially at the Ayala Bridge and subsequently in Mendiola.
At least 95 PNP personnel suffered injuries, some of which were severe enough to necessitate medical intervention. ‘The attacks on our personnel on the ground were captured on video and in photos. Hindi ito police brutality na gaya ng gustong palabasin ng iba, ito ay maliwanag na kaso ng brutality sa ating mga kapulisan-at hindi natin palalampasin ito (This is not police brutality as others want to make it out to be, this is a clear case of brutality among our police officers-and we will not ignore it.),’ Nartatez emphasized.
Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla praised the 50,000 deployed PNP personnel for their adherence to maximum tolerance and for ensuring that the “Trillion Peso March” was generally peaceful. “I would like to commend the PNP for their professionalism and discipline. They adhered to the law and followed their instructions,” Remulla stated.
The protest, which saw participation from approximately 84,000 individuals across 16 areas in Metro Manila and 130 areas nationwide, remained largely peaceful despite a few isolated incidents. Even when about 5,000 protesters set fire to a container truck at the corner of Mendiola and Legarda, the 4,000 officers designated to Manila did not resort to the use of weapons or tear gas.
As of Monday, 95 police officers had been injured and were treated at the PSG station in Malaca±ang and the PNP General Hospital. A total of 216 protesters were apprehended, including 127 adults and 89 minors, post-incident. The detained adults are currently held at the Manila Police District for processing and potential charges of arson, grave physical injuries, and sedition. The 89 minors, comprising 65 children in conflict with the law and 24 children at risk, were placed under the care of the Department of Social Welfare and Development for further assessment and possible legal proceedings.
On social media, the police force received commendations from netizens for their restraint during the protests. ‘Before the Sunday protest, I made it clear that every policeman must exercise maximum tolerance and protect those who exercise their right for freedom of expression. We held the line, and we honored that commitment. The uniformed policemen you saw in the assembly sites today are a symbol of PNP courage, professionalism and commitment to peace and order and human rights,” Nartatez affirmed.
‘We honored our commitment to maximum tolerance and respect to freedom to hold protest, we will make sure that they will face the consequences of their action not only for putting the lives of our policemen at risk, but also for disrespecting the rule of law,’ he added.
