On Thursday, October 20, Director Chief Supt. Oscar Albayalde of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) acknowledged the excessive use of force on protesters during the violent dispersal on Wednesday in front of the Embassy of the United States.
In spite of this, Albayalde states that the Manila Police District members’ doings is “not actually brutality” as he goes on to say that, “Maybe there was an excessive use of force, not necessarily brutality. Kung brutality most likely namatay na yun.”
Results of the initial investigation were able to identify 22 protesters and 35 police personnel to be hurt due to the incident.
Moreover, 21 protesters were taken to the police station, two of which were minors. Albayalde has stated that none of these protesters were detained.
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On the other hand, PNP deputy director for operations Benjamin Magalong expressed that the MPD officers incurred lapses on their handling of the dispersal of the protesters.
At a press conference, Magalong stated, “Obviously may nakita na kaming lapses, doon pa lang sa video nakikita na naming lalong lalo na doon sa part involving the driver ng mga aktibista. Alam naman natin na hindi naman violent yung driver pero so much unreasonable force was applied to suppress the driver.”
In addition, Magalong said that PO3 Franklin Kho may be looking into charges of administrative case of gross misconduct and serious physical injuries due to him ramming through the protesters. Further adding, “Kitang kita naman naming na walang sapat na dahilan para gawin ng driver (Kho) yun.”
He also clarified that deputy director for operations Senior Supt. Marcelino Pedrozo’s statements, ordering the policemen to fight, were his own opinion and “it does not reflect the policy of PNP.”
Pedrozo was caught on camera telling his men: “Wala man lang kayong hinuli, ang dami-dami niyan… Magkagulo na kung magkagulo, pulis tayo rito eh. Pwede ba tayong patalo sa mga yan? Anong mukhang ihaharap natin sa embassy? Kaya i-disperse mo yan.” He later claimed that he was simply giving the dispersal units a “pep talk.”
Magalong articulated that a “very, very exhaustive investigation” will be conducted regarding these matters. They are gathering evidences and video footages of the dispersal in order to view the whole picture.
The probe will be led by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) through the direction of Magalong as he ordered the NCRPO and MPD to put a halt to their own investigation.
As of Thursday, nine MPD policemen were relieved from their positions, including the driver of the police van that ran over several protesters.
Sources: (gmanetwork.com, rappler.com)
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