Groups demand probe on ‘cover-up and police brutality’

“This is not maximum tolerance but maximum brutality.”

ANTIPOLO — Human rights, lawyers, and children’s groups demand an independent investigation on the violent dispersal of the September 21 Martial Law commemoration and anti-corruption protest in Manila, as well as accountability from top officials who continue to deny it.

This statement was made at a press conference held on September 26, in Quezon City along with their demands for the release of the remaining ‘victims of illegal arrest’ and justice for Eric Saber who died from a gunshot wound.

Manila Police District (MPD) records indicate that of the more than 200 detainees, 91 were minors, with others still being verified. Those arrested included students, vendors, delivery riders, construction workers, bystanders, and persons with disabilities.

As of September 25, several detainees were released after the inquest done on Sept. 23 and Sept. 24 but many of those who were arrested are still in jail.

Lawyers from the National Union of People’s Lawyers (NUPL), Public Interest Law Center (PILC), at Sentro para sa Tunay na Repormang Agraryo (Sentra) confirmed that there were indications of torture – bruises, fractures, head injuries, and trauma – among those arrested. Minors were even forced to hurt fellow minors.

In the press conference, Josa Deinla, secretary general of NUPL, described what happened in the September 21 protest, emphasizing that in Mendiola and neighboring areas, the police met the youth and the citizens with water cannons, tear gas, and batons. 

“It is evident in the videos, I’m sure we have all witnessed, especially on social media, the beating, dragging, and random picking up of citizens who were there in the area. Not only those who protest, but also those who just pass by and live nearby. During our interviews, there was someone who was just buying water, suddenly chased by the police.”

This is contrary to the whitewashing of Secretary of the Interior and Local Government Jonvic Remulla, Manila Mayor Isko Moreno, and the MPD.

Remulla said that the police did not use teargas on the protesters, while Moreno said that there were no guns fired and no deaths reported.

“These are brazen attempts to cover up state crimes,” said Maria Sol Taule, Karapatan deputy secretary general. 

“We have eyewitnesses, photos, and videos that clearly show police firing live ammunition, unleashing teargas, and torturing protesters – including minors and persons with disability. This is not maximum tolerance but maximum brutality.”

Release the ‘illegally’ arrested

Karapatan said despite being arrested as early as 3 p.m. on September 21, inquest proceedings were made on Sept. 23 and Sept. 24.

This detention has exceeded the maximum 36-hour detention, and this is a violation of Article 125 of the Revised Penal Code of the Philippines, the lawyers said.

From Article 125, public officers who fail to deliver detained persons to the proper judicial authorities within specific timeframes: 12 hours for light penalties, 18 hours for correctional penalties, and 36 hours for afflictive or capital penalties.

“The justice system of our society is double standard. Fast and violent to the poor but forgiving to the powerful and rich,” Deinla said.

Stories of the victims

Myra’s (name withheld upon request) son Edzel, a person with disability, was one of those arrested. She recalled what Edzel told her. When the police did the inquest, her child was really crying badly. Then said “[the police] beat me. They hit me. They dragged me.” 

She added that while Edzel was riding in a car, they placed a bag on his head and punched him in the stomach. At one point, he lost consciousness, waking up in an ambulance.

Meanwhile, Eric Saber, 35, a construction worker, was gunned down on his way home on the night of September 21 at Recto Avenue near Mendiola. 

A Bulatlat report quoted Brice, a witness to the shooting, saying that Eric was just loitering, watching the protest that day. He was about to cross the street to take a closer look, when more than four successive gunshots were fired. That’s when Eric fell.

Read: Stray bullet victim in Mendiola protest was a bystander, says witness

Taule said that his grieving family could not even afford flowers. “Why is it always the poor who carry the burden, while senators and politicians swim in billions of stolen public funds? Why, when the poor fight back, are they branded criminals?” she lamented. (RTS, RVO)

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