PNP: 12 minors held at Sona rally released

MANILA, Philippines — Twelve people whom police apprehended during a rally last Monday were released from custody after social workers confirmed they were minors, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said Tuesday.

Protest groups claimed that 13 of the 51 people taken into police custody were minors, but police validation confirmed that only 12 were under 18, PNP public information chief Col. Allen Rae Co said at a press briefing in Camp Crame.

READ: Group decries arrest of 51 protestors at Sona rally

“They were properly endorsed for assessment by our social workers, and then they were released by social workers ng DSWD (Department of Social Welfare and Development),” Co added.

A total of 51 individuals were taken into police custody for alleged violations during a protest ahead of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s fifth State of the Nation Address.

The Bagong Alyansang Makabayan and Vandals United, both groups which participated in the protest-action, condemned the arrests and called for the release of all individuals apprehended during the rally. /mcm