10 arrested during SONA street clashes between cops, protesters released
Photo by Jamie Marie Elona/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines—The Quezon City prosecutor’s office ordered the release from police custody of 10 men arrested on Monday, during the clash between anti-riot policemen and protesters, which left some 60 persons, including 20 police personnel, hurt on Commonwealth Avenue.
Inquest prosecutor Ellenita Alviar recommended for preliminary investigation University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman students Renz Albert Pascoral and Kyrie Eleison Muños; as well as protesters Isidro Fullon, 44; Eugene Sampiano, 20; Richard Ken Verongque, 22; Ramdass Krisnaji Israel, 22; Felisardo Repaso; Jack Vincent Coronacion; Raymond Brabante; and Ronnel Rey Madrigal.
The preliminary investigation would enable the city prosecutor to determine if there is probable cause to charge the respondents in court with violation of Batas Pambansa 880 or the Public Assembly Act of 1985; resistance and disobedience to a person in authority or agents of a person in authority; direct assault; and physical injury.
Upon the approval of Assistant City Prosecutor Reynaldo Velasco, Alviar ordered the release of the 10 men from the custody of the Quezon City Police District Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit (QCPD-CIDU), pending further investigation of the case.
The QCPD-CIDU filed the charges against the group after some 20 anti-riot and crowd control police, mostly from the Regional Public Safety Battalion of National Capital Region Police Office and the Southern Police District, were hurt when protesters attempted before noon Monday to break through barricades set up near the Ever Gotesco Mall during President Aquino’s State of the Nation Address at the Batasan Complex.
Police investigators said at least 10 of the policemen were wounded when they were allegedly pelted with stones and struck with poles by the protesters. A policewoman’s jaw was fractured when she was hit on the face by a large piece of stone. She remains confined at the Quezon City General Hospital.
