Human rights group Karapatan condemned the repeated violence, physical assault, and abuse against detainees arrested on September 21 at the Manila Police District (MPD). The group called for an immediate independent investigation and accountability of the perpetrators of these abuses.
According to reports gathered by Karapatan-NCR (National Capital Region), the police are subjecting the detainees to forced labor, extortion in exchange for not being harmed, and threats for confessing to crimes they did not commit. Even persons with disability (PWD) in detention suffer from police cruelty.
The Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) expressed dismay over the ‘violent response’ of cops during the clash with protestors in Mendiola on September 21.
“Bayan deplores the violent response of the police in handling the young protesters in Mendiola. In some videos circulating on social media, the police were aggressively arresting and dispersing young protesters,” Bayan said in a statement.
Bayan further criticized the police’s response saying, “So much public resources are spent on security yet the police could not respond to the situation in a restrained and organized fashion. Aside from showing empathy for the sentiments of the youth and ordinary Filipinos… the police could have exercised maximum tolerance.”
A few altercations, involving stone-throwing at cops, and ignition of nearby objects, around the vicinity Mendiola ensued after a program against corruption was held near Malacañang Palace.
Bayan claimed that the confrontation in both the Ayala Bridge and Mendiola involved young protesters, and revealed that at least 12 members of the organization were reportedly arrested.
The worst case of police brutality is the killing of Eric Saber, a construction worker who was hit by the indiscriminate firing on young protestors last September 21.
The group recorded police beating and covering the head of PWD Edzel Santos with a plastic bag. Meanwhile, other PWDs including Alexis Bisuyo and Alvin Karingal endured intense interrogation and mental torture. Karingal has been singled out for gaining social media support after becoming known as “fishball boy.”
The total number of arrests reached more than 216, with over 100 still detained. They were charged with multiple cases.