The prolonged detention of youth protesters in Manila is intended to cover up police brutality in the sweeping arrests last September 21, Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN) said.
The group condemned reported injuries inflicted on the more than 200 arrestees and who are still in jail in various police precincts around Manila.
BAYAN said some of the injuries were serious, inflicted while the detainees were under police custody.
“[The polic] are clearly behind the withholding of legal and health services to the detainees and even their immediate access to their families,” it added.
Among those arbitrarily arrested by the police are young individuals who happened to wear black t-shirts or were watching the ongoing tumult in Mendiola and the surrounding areas, BAYAN said, quoting reports from lawyers and paralegals assisting the detainees.
One protester had to be brought to a hospital for jaw surgery.
Meanwhile, Manila Mayor Francisco Domagoso confirmed one fatality in Sunday’s clashes, describing the victim as a “15-year old rioter.”
A watch repairer surrendered to the police after the fatal stabbing, the Manila City government also said.
BAYAN however said the authorities’ refusal to let families and lawyers talk to the detainees may be an effort to suppress or distort the narrative on Sunday’s mass arrests.
“Local and national authorities aggressively bombarded the public with malicious disinformation narratives to cover up the grave abuses committed by the police,” the group said.
Authorities also delayed the release of the youth protesters who could have immediately debunked government’s claim of maximum tolerance last Sunday, BAYAN said.
It added that “disproportionate police response,” including their use of teargas and guns directed at protesters, further belied government’s narrative.
“We demand accountability for the human rights abuses perpetrated by the police. Local and national officials should be held accountable too for fabricating lies, imposing a news blackout, and possible tampering of evidence of police brutality,” BAYAN said.
“While there were likely some trouble makers with dubious intentions who agitated these young protesters to vent their anger at the police, the latter’s brutal tactics are unacceptable and condemnable. They reveal not only police bias against the poor but also their complicity in protecting the corrupt in government,” it added.
Corrupt government officials and personnel should be the ones facing criminal charges.
Sunday’s arrests happened at the tail end of a 100,00 strong rally at Rizal Park that concluded in a march to Mendiol Bridge near Malacanang Palace where the clashes between the police and some protesters happened. # (Raymund B. Villanueva)
