33 cops face raps over Pride March dispersal

MANILA, Philippines — At least 33 Manila police personnel were sued before the city prosecutor’s office on Monday for the violent dispersal of a Pride March in Mendiola last year.

Seventeen members of the so-called “Pride 20” filed a complaint against the lawmen for failing to observe maximum tolerance and violating their right to peaceful assembly, as well as unlawful arrest and slight physical injuries and maltreatment.

The police officers were also accused of stealing a van they used to drive the protesters to the Manila Police District headquarters.

The complainants also accused the lawmen of qualified gender-based street and public space sexual harassment under the Safe Spaces Act for berating them during the protest.

The complaint is similar to the one filed before the Office of the Ombudsman last July, according to Minnie Lopez, the Pride 20’s counsel.

The criminal complaint was filed before the city prosecutor’s office upon the ombudsman’s recommendation, while the administrative complaint was directed to the National Police Commission, the lawyer added.

Among the 33 police officers sued, the highest officials were former Manila Police District director (now retired) Brig. Gen. Rolando Miranda, former Mobile Force Battalion commander Lt. Col. Ledon Monte and then acting Sta. Mesa station commander Lt. Col. Harry Lorenzo III.

In the complaint, transwoman activist Rey Salinas said she received “uncalled for comments” from the police about her good looks and gender identity. She said she was misgendered when the police wanted to detain her with the men.

Another protester, Aljohn Estrella – who identifies as non-binary and gender non-conforming – said a police officer threatened to hurt him and even asked how come he was “beki” when he was strong enough to resist arrest.

Two Pride 20 members saw a policeman watching porn and masturbating while keeping guard over the women, according to the complaint, which did not name the police officer.

Manila Assistant City Prosecutor Kristine Ria Cirilo dismissed last year the Manila police’s complaint against the protesters, saying that mere participants of a peaceful rally could not be held criminally liable even without a rally permit.

The police also failed to observe maximum tolerance in arresting the Pride protesters, according to Cirilo.