Police: More than 40 face raps over Sept. 21 riots
“Over 40 individuals” will be sued over the riots during the Sept. 21 anticorruption rallies, the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) announced.
The violence erupted at the foot of Ayala Bridge and the Mendiola Peace Arch, killing one, injuring hundreds and leading to the arrest of at least 216 people—91 of whom were minors—prompting condemnation from human rights groups.
CIDG director Maj. Gen. Robert Alexander Morico II said: “We are going to file cases already. We will file cases against more than 40 people also stemming from the Sept. 21 incident. It will not stop.”
“We are investigating the commission of a criminal act. It’s not the conduct of a peaceful rally. Everybody involved there will be investigated so that this unfortunate incident will not happen again.”
Morico did not detail whom they will file cases against and what cases they will file.
He stressed, “We are investigating all those involved, especially the high-profile people.”
Manila Mayor Isko Moreno, citing intelligence reports, previously hinted that rioters “may have been paid” and instigated by a Filipino Chinese politician and lawyer.
Asked whether the CIDG was looking into Moreno’s claims, “When the mayor mentions people, any information the CIDG gets, we exploit and investigate it.”
While Morico and the CIDG again declined to name those it is investigating, at least six individuals have been identified on social media as respondents of its subpoenas:
Aldrin Kitsune–Film student, De La Salle University–College of Saint Benilde; officer, anticorruption group Kabataan Kontra Korapsyon
Park Alamada Pangawilan–Vlogger, also known as Kuya Park
Jacob Baluyot–Journalism student, Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP), Sta Mesa; associate editor, PUP student publication The Catalyst
Joaquin Buenaflor–Political science student, University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman; chairperson, UP Diliman University Student Council
Tiffany Brillante–Political science student, PUP Sta. Mesa; president, PUP Sentral na Konseho ng Mag-aaral
Harry Angping–Former Manila 3rd District representative; former chairperson, Philippine Sports Commission
All six respondents have denied involvement in the riots.
