Palace condemns violence, vandalism committed at President’s house

Photo by J. Ellao / Bulatlat.com

MANILA — The Palace condemned on Sunday the violence and vandalism initiated by protesters in front of President Benigno S. Aquino III’s house at Times Street in Quezon City last Saturday morning.

“Mariin naming kinokondena ang pagkasugat ng mga miyembro ng ating pambansang kapulisan at ang bandalismong ipinairal ng mga raliyista kahapon sa tahanan ng pamilya ni Pangulong Aquino sa Times Street, Quezon City (We vehemently condemn the violent acts of the rallyists causing injury to members of our police force and vandalizing President Aquino’s home in Times Street, Quezon City) ,” said President Communication Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr., in a radio interview over dzRB Radyo ng Bayan.

“Ayon sa ulat ng hepe ng Quezon City Police District (QCPD), naganap ang bandalismo ‘nung binigyan ng palugit o extension ng mga pulis ang mga raliyista. Sa halip na maayos na tapusin ang kanilang pamamahayag, sinalakay ng mga raliyista ang mga pulis at sinaktan ang mga ito, bukod pa sa paggawa ng bandalismo sa tahanan ng pamilyang Aquino. Ang mga naturang aksyon ay hayag na kalabisan at pag-aabuso sa karapatang mamahayag (According to reports from the chief of QCPD, the vandalism happened during the extension given by the police to the rallyists. Instead of concluding their protest, the rallyists attacked and injured our police force, as well as vandalized President Aquino’s home. Such actions are explicit proof of abuse),” Coloma added.

According to Quezon City police chief Senior Superintendent Joel Pagdilao, around 250 protesters from the militant group Manilakbayan assembled in front of the President’s home at 9:20 a.m. on Saturday, calling for peace and food in Mindanao.

Pagdilao said that when the protesters were about to end their demonstration, they suddenly painted red paint in the street and threw rocks at the policemen.

The authorities tried to stop the protesters and began making arrests but the demonstrators resisted. Twelve policemen and seven protesters were hurt during the incident.

“Ito po ang mga detalye diyan: si SPO1 Reyes (sa kaliwang mata; left eye), si PO1 Ryan Paul Ocampo Tifles (left and right thigh), PO1 Coco (right arm), PO1 Marquez, PO1 Madarang (fractured thigh), PO1 Japaneses, PO2 Pedrozo, PO1 Esteban (back bruises), PO1 Bitumen, PO1 Lagundi (right arm), PO1 Negrito at PO1 Ng (now undergoing treatment),” the Communication Secretary said, describing the injuries the policemen received from the protesters.

“What the rallyists did in terms of vandalism and inflicting injuries on members of the PNP (Philippine National Police) clearly exceeded the maximum limits of the freedom of expression, at hindi po pahihintulutan ng pamahalaan na maulit ang kaganapang ganito (the government cannot allow this incident to happen again),” Coloma added.