PNP chief: Charges to be filed in mobbing of intel officers at SONA protest

Philippine National Police chief Director General Ricardo Marquez said he has ordered the filing of charges against protesters involved in the mobbing of two government intelligence agents along Commonwealth Avenue, Quezon City on Monday morning.

 

The incident occurred prior to the activists' protest march for President Benigno Aquino III's last State of the Nation Address.

 

In an interview, Marquez said they would welcome the help of the Commission on Human Rights if they choose to extend such, but he added, "Ang utos ko is file charges versus those responsible."

 

"We allowed them to express their views. We gave them half of the northbound [lane] of Commonwealth [Avenue]. That is so much already. Sana respetuhin rin nila 'yung karapatan ng tao na mapatupad 'yung mga katungkulan nila dahil in a democratic society, that's not acceptable. Mali naman 'yon," he said.

 

He said the intelligence officers were monitoring the crowd for "anybody who could change the complexion" of the protest action that was going to be held.

 

"Nagmo-monitor kung nasaan sila, nagmo-monitor kung may mangsa-sabotage... Kasi minsan may infiltration sila, walang objective at mission 'yung mga taong 'yun to infiltrate them," he said.

 

He added: "Alam na naming sila ay magra-rally, gusto lang namin na maayos 'yung kanilang movement, walang infiltration na mag-i-incite ng violence kasi minsan that is their (those who infiltrate) purpose."

 

Amid reports that charges will be filed in turn against the police, Marquez pointed out that the media saw how the officers exercised restraint on Monday.

 

"Palagi naman, kahit wala kang gawing kasalanan, charges will be filed, kaya ang bilin sa QCPD (Quezon City Police District), maximum tolerance... 'Yung reporter na nagsasabing binabato na ang pulis pero hindi pa rin nagre-react, nandoon lang sila. Kayo ang witness to how professional the police were yesterday," he said. —Rose-An Jessica Dioquino/ALG, GMA News