2016 U.S. Embassy protest in Manila

2016 U.S. Embassy protest
Date October 19, 2016
Causes Activism against US military presence
Result Demonstrators violently dispersed, with some rammed by a police van
Parties to the civil conflict
  • SANDUGO[1]
  • Lakbayan ng Pambansang Minorya para sa Sariling Pagpapasya at Makatarungang Kapayapaan[1]
  • KABATAAN
Number
1,000[1]
Casualties
60 injured
About 30 arrested[1]

The anti-US military presence protest led by several different groups, on October 19, 2016, led to a violent dispersal occurred in front of the United States Embassy in Manila, Philippines.

Protest

A protest, led by national minority groups, namely SANDUGO and Lakbayan ng Pambansang Minorya para sa Sariling Pagpapasya at Makatarungang Kapayapaan, gathered in front on US embassy in Manila. The protest was to demand an end to the Oplan Bayanihan, a counterinsurgency campaign and the pulling out of troops and militias from indigenous people's communities.[2] Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN) secretary general Renato Reyes, Jr. said that the violent disperal, which happened when the protest was about to conclude, was "planned and ordered" by a certain Col. Marcelino Pedroso.[3] The protest turned violent when the police vehicle accelerating back-and-forth that hit several protestors.[4] The incident of ramming was recorded by the media.[5] It occurred after the protestors surrounded the vehicle and began hitting it with the wooden baton.[6] Among them is the three activist, who being run over by the police vehicle, were taken to the hospital.[7] It was reported that the police arrested 21 individuals and brought to the MPD.[3]

Investigation

The SANDUGO and KABATAAN party-list stated that a certain Col. Marcelino Pedroso of the Manila Police District (MPD) allegedly gave the go-signal for the violent dispersal of the protestors,[3] while others claim that PO3 Franklin Kho — the one who drive the police vehicle — ordered the violent dispersal.[8] Pedroso, however, denied the ordering of the dispersal.[8]

Cases filed against 10 policemen[9]
  • Multiple attempted murder
  • Serious physical injuries
  • Unlawful arrest
  • Violation of R.A. 7438, B.P. 880
  • Obstruction of justiceGrave misconduct
  • Grave abuse of authority
  • Conduct unbecoming of a public officer

On October 20, the Office of the Ombudsman charge 10 policemen after the protestors filed the complaints against them in the alleged connection of the violent dispersal.[9]

In October 29, it was reported that 28 police officers from the MPD filed counter-charges against the protesters for illegal assembly, direct assault on a person in authority, physical injury, resisting arrest and malicious mischief.[10]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "Police van overruns protesters in US Embassy". Rappler. October 19, 2016. Retrieved October 20, 2016.
  2. ↑ "Scores hurt, 3 seriously, as police patrol vehicle runs over anti-US protesters". InterAksyon.
  3. 1 2 3 "Violent dispersal of US Embassy protesters ordered by MPD exec—groups". Philippine Daily Inquirer.
  4. ↑ "Police vehicle plows through protesters near US Embassy". GMA News.
  5. ↑ "TV Patrol: Mga pulis na sangkot sa marahas na dispersal, sinibak sa pwesto". YouTube. ABS-CBN News.
  6. ↑ "Police truck runs over demonstrators protesting US troops in Philippines (VIDEO)". RT.
  7. ↑ "Philippines police van rams protesters outside US embassy in Manila". The Guardian.
  8. 1 2 "Driver of police van showed intent to kill, protesters claim". GMA News.
  9. 1 2 "WATCH - Multiple charges filed against 10 cops for rally dispersal near US embassy". InterAksyon.
  10. ↑ Mangunay, Kristine Felisse (29 October 2016). "Manila cops countersue over rally violence". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved 29 October 2016.
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