Protesters who beat up cops taking photos of Sona rally face raps

THE Philippine National Police is readying charges against the militant protesters who were caught on video mauling two policemen in civilian clothing before President Aquino’s State of the Nation Address.

The two policemen were undercover intelligence agents monitoring the protest rallies along Commonwealth Avenue when the protesters pounced on them.

The intelligence agents were taking photographs of the activities prior to the rallies when the militants noticed what they were doing and confronted them.

“We are readying charges against those who mauled our personnel,” said PNP Director General Ricardo Marquez.

He stressed that the policemen were just doing their job so that the PNP would be up to date on the situation.

The protesters eventually let the policemen go, but reportedly took a cell phone belonging to one of the lawmen.

The Quezon City Police District director, Chief Supt. Joel Pagdilao, named the injured policemen as Chief Insp. Antonio Ananayao Jr. and PO1 Reden Malagonio of the National Capital Region Police Office.

“They are giving their statements to the QCPD Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit so we can file the appropriate charges,” Pagdilao said.

The police official added that the culprits could be identified through TV footage of the mauling.

As of Monday morning, over 6,000 policemen have been deployed to secure the SONA at the House of Representatives and the protest rallies on Commonwealth Avenue.

Marquez stressed that the policemen should exercise maximum tolerance in dealing with the protesters.

“I asked them if they are ready psychologically, if they had breakfast already, they said yes,” the PNP chief said.

He also urged the protesters to exercise restraint and maximum tolerance as well.

“The policemen are observing maximum tolerance, so the protesters should do the same. We gave them space to air their grievances, I hope it doesn’t end in chaos,” Marquez said.

The stretch of Commonwealth Avenue’s eastbound lane from Jocfer Building to Ever Gotesco Mall was closed to traffic, with concrete barriers, barbed wires and container vans serving as a barrier to prevent protesters from crossing over to the other side.

Policemen were also deployed as civil disturbance management units, guarding the barricades with their truncheons and shields.

Just after Ever Gotesco Mall, another barrier comprised of barbed wire, steel fences, concrete barriers and a CDM contingent prevented militants from getting any closer.

This barrier was also reinforced by container vans and fire trucks from the Bureau of Fire Protection.

Marquez said they have adopted ways to avoid a violent confrontation and erected the barriers to avoid face-to-face engagement with the militants.