Van driver, Manila cops relieved over violent dispersal

Police and protesters clash during a violent protest outside the U.S. Embassy in Manila, Philippines, Wednesday, Oct. 19, 2016. A Philippine police van rammed into protesters, leaving several bloodied, as an anti-U.S. rally turned violent Wednesday at the embassy in Manila. AP

Nine members of the Manila Police District (MPD) have been ordered relieved from their post following the anti-US rally that turned violent in front of the American embassy in Manila on Wednesday.

WATCH: Police van runs over protesters at anti-US rally

Nine officers—including PO3 Franklin Kho, the driver of the police van that rammed and run over some protesters—were removed from their posts, Chief Supt. Oscar Albayalde, National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) chief, said in a text message to INQUIRER.net on Thursday.

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Senior Supt. Marcelino Pedrozo, the ground commander at the rally who allegedly ordered the violent dispersal, was also relieved.

Albayalde said he ordered their administrative relief “to pave the way for an impartial investigation on the incident.” IDL