PUP students hurt in police dispersal

Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) campus ground. FILE PHOTO

Students from the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) who were holding a rally in front of the House of Representatives on Monday were reportedly hurt after they were dispersed by the Quezon City police.

A video taken by The Catalyst, the university’s official student publication, showed police officers pushing and hitting the protesters with their shields and batons.

The PUP League of Filipino Students said some of the students suffered wounds, bruises and bumps as a result.

Following the incident, Mayor Joy Belmonte said she would have the matter immediately investigated, adding that, “I will not countenance any suppression of fundamental rights in Quezon City.”

The students were supposedly asking to be included in the congressional hearing on bills creating the National Polytechnic University, which would merge PUP and other state universities and colleges in the country.

READ: PUP deploys ‘school bus’ to bring education on the road

“Where is ‘maximum tolerance’ here? The student protesters were clearly carrying only paper placards to voice out their legitimate concerns peacefully” Neri Colmenares, a former Bayan Muna representative, said on X (formerly known as Twitter).

“The police has been violently dispersing recent protests outside the House of [Representatives]. This is police brutality under the Marcos [administration].” Kabataan party list Rep. Raoul Manuel said. — RUSSEL LORETO