9 cops in violent dispersal at US embassy rally relieved, says NCRPO

MANILA, Philippines – The National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) of the Philippine National Police (PNP) on Thursday said police officials involved in the violent dispersal of protesters outside the American Embassy were ordered administrative relief.

In a radio interview, NCRPO director Chief Superintendent Oscar Albayalde said nine officials of the Manila Police District were relieved from office, including Senior Superintendent Marcelino Pedrozo, whom the witnesses heard to be directing the dispersal of rallyists. Pedrozo reportedly denied the claims that he issued the dispersal order. 

On Wednesday afternoon, hundreds of protesters gathered to demand an end to the presence of U.S. troops in the country and to back a call for an independent foreign policy by President Rodrigo Duterte. However, a police van has repeatedly rammed into protesters, leaving several bloodied, as an anti-U.S. rally turned violent.

The cop driver of the police van, identified as PO3 Franklin Kho, is now under the custody of the NCRPO.

Albayalde explained that the police force including Kho did not expect the protesters would turn violent. Kho was then forced to remove the police mobile as it was allegedly being shaken and attacked by the protesters.

“Ang initial explanation sa atin is 'yung nakita kasi ng ating pulis na niyuyugyog at pinupukpok na 'yung sasakyan na 'yun so 'yung driver, to extricate 'yung mobile na 'yun, pumunta siya, tumakbo siya sa sasakyan kasi initially wala siya doon sa loob ng sasakyan. Noong tumakbo siya papunta doon sa sasakyan, hinabol siya ng mga raliyista. Natakot siya na baka siya ang masaktan. Pagpasok niya sa mobile na 'yun, pinagpupukpok 'yung mobile nila,” Albayalde narrated in a radio interview.

“Minabuti niya na ilabas o extricate 'yung sasakyan na 'yun, but on the process, may nagsasagaan nga dahil hindi siya nakarating nang diretso kung saan siya pupunta,” he added.

Despite the circumstance, Albayalde said all of the officials involved in the violent dispersal will be sanctioned.

“Sisiguraduhin natin na mananagot 'yung mga pulis na involved doon kung saan makikita natin na there was excessive use of force,” Albayalde said.

Several senators were also demanding PNP chief Director General Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa to investigate the violent dispersal outside the US Embassy.

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