Despite clash, SONA rally ‘peaceful’ – NCRPO

MANILA, Philippines - Despite the violent confrontation between the rallyists and anti-riot cops that left 24 people injured, National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) director Chief Superintendent Marcelo Garbo Jr. described the protest rally during President Aquino’s State of the Nation Address Monday as peaceful and orderly.

Garbo said they expected the rallyists to provoke the anti-riot policemen. “They just implemented their plan to agitate our men and ignite violence during the SONA apparently to gain media mileage. We cannot stop that because it was already in their minds,” Garbo said in an interview.

Twenty-one anti-riot policemen and three civilians were hurt while 10 activists were arrested during a violent confrontation along Commonwealth Avenue, several meters away from the Batasang Pambansa Complex where Aquino presided over the opening of the two Houses.

Garbo ordered the filing of charges against the arrested rallyists who were caught throwing stones at policemen.

Arrested protesters charged, released

The Quezon City Police District filed charges of violating Batas Pambansa 880, resistance and disobedience upon an agent or person in authority, malicious mischief, direct assault and physical injury against Isidro Fullon, Eugene Sampiano, Richard Ken Verongque, Renz Albert Pascual, Kyrie Eleison Munoz, Ramdass Krisnaji Israel, Felisardo Repasol, Jack Vincent Coronacion, Raymond Brabante, and Ronnel Rhay Phoben.

Assistant City Prosecutor Elenita Maca­tangay-Alvia, who conducted the inquest proceedings, recommended the release of the 10 protesters and the conduct of a preliminary investigation on the complaints against them.

The resolution of the inquest fiscal was approved by the head of the city prosecutor’s office yesterday afternoon.

Apparently dismayed at what happened, QCPD director Chief Superintendent Richard Albano said they were studying filing charges against leaders of the militant groups, who should be held responsible for the actions of those who joined the street protests.

He also said they would seek the opinion of the Department of Justice on why charges against arrested militants are always subjected to further investigation. He said this was not the case with other persons taken into custody for similar offenses. – Non Alquitran, Reinir Padua, Cecille Suerte Felipe