PNP: 2 vandalism suspects in martial law rally pacified, not arrested

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) asserted that the two youths caught vandalizing in the City of Manila during a rally to mark the 54th anniversary of the declaration of martial law were not arrested but only pacified.

On Monday morning, tensions rose between rallyists and police officers along C.M. Recto Avenue after the two individuals were approached by police officers supposedly due to vandalism.

“They were just pacified,” PNP spokesperson PCol. Allen Rae Co said in a briefing on Monday afternoon when asked about the incident.

Article continues after this advertisement

“They were restrained from doing anything else, but they were not actually arrested,” he added.

READ: PNP on alert as protests commemorate martial law

According to Co, the protest actions were very orderly.He also assured the public that police officers are exercising maximum tolerance toward the rallyists.

He said no group applied for a permit, and the protests were being conducted in freedom parks.

READ: PNP: 2 websites urging children to commit violence blocked

Article continues after this advertisement

As of 11 a.m. Monday, the PNP has monitored three protest actions in Metro Manila: in Espana Boulevard in front of the University of Sto. Tomas; San Sebastian St. corner C.M. Recto Avenue in Quiapo, Manila, and along Nagtahan Street in Sta. Mesa, Manila.

Starting Monday afternoon, several groups—such as Kilusang Bayan Kontra Korakot and Bagong Alyansang Makabayan—have been protesting at Liwasang Bonifacio in Manila.

Article continues after this advertisement

Meanwhile, a candle-lighting ceremony, to be led by the Buhay ang People Power Campaign Network, is scheduled for 5 p.m. at Bantayog ng mga Bayani in Quezon City.

The rallies coincide with the 54th anniversary of the declaration of martial law in the country in 1972.

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.

Your subscription has been successful.

According to Amnesty International, 70,000 individuals were arrested, mostly without warrants of arrest, while 34,000 were tortured and 3,240 others were killed by the military and police during the regime of then- President Ferdinand E. Marcos Sr. /gsg