(Eagle News)– National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) Director Chief Supt. Oscar Albayalde on Thursday (October 20) admitted that there were lapses committed during the violent dispersal of protesters in front of US Embassy.
However, he insisted that the use of force cannot be considered as police brutality.
“Not actually brutality, yung brutality naman is sobra, it is not the right word. Maybe there was an excessive use of force, not necessarily brutality. Kung brutality most likely namatay na yun,” Abayalde said.
There were 22 protesters and 35 policemen hurt in the incident.
Twenty-one protesters were arrested, but were also released to their lawyers later.
PNP deputy director for operations Benjamin Magalong said there were lapses done by Manila Police District (MPD) officers who were present during the dispersal.
“Obviously may nakita na kaming lapses, doon pa lang sa video nakikita na namin 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,” Magalong told members of the media.
Meanwhile, Magalong said PO3 Franklin Kho– the one who rammed the protesters with a police van– could be charged with administrative case of gross misconduct and serious physical injuries.
“Yung nangyari kay Kho, walang sapat na dahilan para gawin niya yun,” he said.
Asked for the case of relieved Senior Supt. Marcelino Pedrozo, Magalong said that the latter’s statements were only his opinion.
“Tungkol sa binanggit ni Pedrozo, ito ay kanyang personal na salita and it does not reflect the policy of PNP. Ito ay ating iimbestigahan, ito ay pagsasalita na dapat na hindi nagawa ng isang senior officer dahil he will influence yung mindset ng kapulisan,” he explained.
In a footage, Pedrozo was heard telling his men to disperse the protesters after they managed to go near the US Embassy.
Pedrozo, in a television interview, said they are prepared to answer whatever charges would be filed against them.
“We will answer for any lapses. Talagang sasagutin naman po namin yan pero para po sa Manila Police District ginawa lang po namin kung ano po ang aming tungkulin,” Pedrozo said.
“Ni wala naman po kaming baril doon, all of us wala po kaming firearms, we’re just depending on our shield at batuta. Ang mga kalaban po namin may mga bato, may mga pamalo,” he added.
