CHR Urged to Investigate Alleged Police Abuses During SONA Rallies

MANILA, Philippines — Human rights and people’s organizations have urged the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) to conduct an independent investigation into alleged abuses committed by police officers against activists who were arrested during the State of the Nation Address (SONA) rallies last week. In a letter to CHR chairman Richard Palpal-latoc, the groups said there was a pattern of violence, arbitrary arrests, harassment and intimidation of protesters who joined the rallies. They cited the arrest of 51 activists and young artists, including minors on July 27. Nine protesters who remain under detention were allegedly subjected to coercive interrogations by the police without their lawyer, which they said is tantamount to psychological torture under Republic Act 9745, or the Anti-Torture Act. “These actions reveal a continuing pattern of suppressing peaceful assemblies through intimidation, excessive police intervention, arbitrary arrests and harassment of protesters and journalists,” the letter read. The groups that called for a probe include the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan, Karapatan, National Union of People’s Lawyers, Sandugo, HipHop United against Corruption and Alyansa Laban sa Korupsyon at Brutalidad ng Pulis. They urged the CHR to hold accountable the police officers who violated the rights of protesters during anti-SONA rallies and other public assemblies. Meanwhile, the Quezon City prosecutor’s office found probable cause to indict the nine people arrested for vandalism along Commonwealth Avenue in Barangay Matandang Balara. Brig. Gen. Randy Glenn Silvio, Quezon City Police District director, said the prosecutor ordered the filing of charges of other mischiefs, direct assault upon agents of a person in authority and obstruction of justice.