Acting Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. has ordered an investigation into allegations of abuse by Manila Police District (MPD) personnel against protesters arrested during the Sept. 21 anti-corruption demonstrations.
The Internal Affairs Service and the Human Rights Affairs Office were tasked to look into the complaints raised by rights group Karapatan, PNP public information office chief Brig. Gen. Randulf Tuaño said yesterday.
‘The PNP will never tolerate torture, physical abuse or extortion. That is the directive of our chief,’ Tuaño said at a briefing at Camp Crame.
Authorities had reported that 242 protesters, including 152 adults and 60 minors, were apprehended. Thirty minors aged 14 and below were turned over to social welfare officers and their parents.
Of those arrested, 212 were charged, according to police.
Tuaño said human rights lawyers were present when the cases were processed.
‘There were 18 lawyers representing the 212 people. That’s why the MPD said it was impossible for them to be harmed in the course of the proceedings,’ he said.
Those arrested were charged for violating the Public Assembly Act, direct assault and resistance as well as disobedience to persons in authority.
Tuaño said the PNP could easily verify the allegations of police abuse since all detainees underwent medical examinations before charges were filed.
He confirmed one fatality during the unrest, but clarified that it was not directly linked to the protest actions in Mendiola.
The victim, a 15-year-old student, died from a stab wound at the Jose R. Reyes Memorial Medical Center.
‘There was no shooting connected to the protest. Based on the report, it was a stabbing incident, not a case of police firing,’ Tuaño said.
The Kilusang Mayo Uno, however, said construction worker Eric Saber died from a gunshot to the body.
Saber was crossing Recto Avenue when he was shot by police during the riot, the militant group said.