Parents of minors nabbed during September 21 riot troop to MPD

Several parents of minors who were arrested during the September 21 rally in Mendiola trooped to the Manila Police District (MPD) headquarters to check on the condition of their children.

According to Oscar Oida’s Monday report on “24 Oras,” the parents said they had no idea of their children’s well-being after violence broke out along Recto Avenue in Manila during the September 21 protest.

“Magulang ako, nag-aalala ako. Hindi ko alam kung anong nangyari sa anak ko. Sinaktan ba o ano? Kumakain ba? Pauwiin lang ako walang kaso,” a parent said.

(I’m a parent, so I’m worried. I don’t know what happened to my child. Was he hurt? Has he eaten? They should have let them go home if there were no charges.)

Another parent said she wanted to know if her child was safe and was not hurt.

Meanwhile, another parent said her child only gave food during the protest when he was arrested by the police.

A total of 216 persons were arrested by the police, of whom 89 are minors. They are currently being processed by authorities.

Among those arrested was a man caught on video being carried by police officers.

According to his mother, the man’s head hit the ground during his arrest.

“Kinaladkad tapos may video na nauntog ulo niya. Paano kung nagka head trauma yun? (There is a video that showed he hit his head hit on the ground while he was being dragged by the police. What if he has head trauma?),” the mother said.

She added she would be unaware of her son’s whereabouts if she did not see the viral video online.

Meanwhile, another mother expressed concern, saying  as her child has a psychosocial condition.

“Hindi ko alam kung anong nangyayari sa kanya sa loob. Masakit po definitely. Naniniwala kami sa pinaglalaban ng anak namin. In fact, we were there sa People Power Monument. We were supposed to meet him,” the woman said.

(I don’t know what is happening to him inside. Definitely, it hurts since we believe in what he is fighting for. In fact, we were there at the People Power Monument. We were supposed to meet him.)

"Taas yung kamay niya. Kasi hindi naman po siya talaga kasama doon sa mga nangugulo. Aalis na sila. It just so happened na nag-volunteer na mag-marshal ang anak ko. So he was making sure na lahat ay okay na into safety na. Pero yun nga, unfortunately po, naabutan siya ng mga pulis at pilitan siyang hinila, sinaktan. Makikita naman po yun doon sa video,” she added.

(He was raising his hand. He was not involved with those who caused trouble. They were supposed to leave. It just so happened that he volunteered to be a marshal to ensure everyone's safety. But, unfortunately, he was caught and harmed by the police, as seen in the video.)

Several groups rallied behind the parents and condemned the alleged police brutality and arbitrary arrest by the authorities.

They said the arrested individuals, especially minors, should be immediately set free.

“Tingin namin kahit sabihin ng PNP na nag-maximum tolerance sila, tingin namin hindi. Hindi sila nag-exercise ng maximum tolerance. At sa tansya namin nakahanda talaga sila na mag-mass arrest,” said Clarice Palce, Gabriela secretary general.

(We think the Philippine National Police did not practice maximum tolerance despite saying that they did. We believe that they were prepared to make mass arrests.)

Meanwhile, the Commission on Human Rights representatives were at MPD headquarters to ensure the well-being of the arrested protesters. —Mariel Celine Serquiña/RF, GMA Integrated News