Cascolan insists police just did their jobs during Baby River's burial

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Police General Camilo Pancratius Cascolan on Wednesday maintained that police officers were just doing their duties during the burial of baby River, the daughter of detained activist Reina Mae Nasino.

The said burial last Friday was highly-criticized because of the huge number of law enforcers deployed to guard Nasino, who was handcuffed and prevented from embracing her daughter's coffin.

"Well, situations are different from each other. Alam niyo po ang pulis natin magre-responde lang naman 'yan depende sa sitwasyon," Cascolan told reporters.

"Gusto po nating mapaigting ang ating ginagawang mga activity para ma-prevent po natin ang kriminalidad. Ginagawa lang po ng pulis ang kanilang trabaho," Cascolan added.

Nasino was allowed to attend the wake and burial of her child but she was accompanied by a number of jail guards and police officers.

It was reported that security forces prevented people from entering La Funeraria Rey in Pandacan, Manila before baby River's burial.

Nasino's relatives and supporters had claimed that police "want to hijack the funeral." They said the funeral car sped up, leaving walking family members behind.

Manila Police District spokesperson Police Lieutenant Colonel Carlo Magno Manuel had claimed that supporters of Nasino were planning to conduct a rally alongside the burial that, according to him, was supposed to be solemn.

Manuel said the deployment of policemen was also to ensure that minimum health standards will be observed amid the lingering threat of COVID-19.

Nasino is an urban poor organizer who faces charges of illegal possession of firearms and explosives. She carried River in her womb while in jail and gave birth at a hospital on July 1. Weeks later, mother and daughter were ordered separated.

Baby River died of pneumonia last October 9. —KBK, GMA News