UP student allegedly beaten by arresting cops during September 21 riot in Manila

A student of the University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman was allegedly beaten by the police officers during his arrest in Mendiola St. amid the September 21 protest in Manila.

In a video shared by the Philippine Collegian online, a person claimed to be Mattheo Villanueva of the UP College of Arts and Letters was seen raising his hands while being dragged, hit, and kicked by several police officers.

Fatima Mendoza, UP Diliman Student's Rights and Welfare councilor, told GMA News Online that Villanueva was part of the UP Diliman contingent during the protest and was serving as one of the security marshals.

She said there are still no clear grounds for the arrest since the inquest proceedings are being conducted Tuesday, September 23.

“Informed po ang kanyang family tungkol sa kanyang sitwasyon, at may legal counsel at quick response team na rin pong in-organize ang UP Diliman University Student Council para sa kanya,” Mendoza said.

(His family was informed of his situation, and the UP Diliman University Student Council has organized a legal counsel and a quick response team for him.)

In a Viber message, Manila Police District (MPD) spokesperson Major Philipp Ines confirmed to GMA News Online that inquest proceedings are ongoing at MPD headquarters.

When asked if Villanueva was one of the arrested protesters and to comment on alleged police brutality, Ines said, “Kung kasama po sa nahuli, ongoing ang inquest proceedings ngayon sa MPD HQ.... May mga prosecutors na doon.”

(If he was among the arrested, there are ongoing inquest proceedings at the MPQ HQ. They have prosecutors there.)

Earlier, the Philippine National Police earlier denied firearms or tear gas were used against protesters at Mendiola.

Police said rogue protesters were the ones responsible for throwing molotov cocktails or hand-thrown incendiary weapons.

Meanwhile, Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla said, “The President's directive very explicitly stated that the PNP shall act with maximum tolerance. And with maximum tolerance, they only had their riot gear and no firearms.”

A total of 216 persons were arrested by the police, of whom 89 are minors, while 95 police officers were injured. —Mariel Celine Serquiña/RF, GMA Integrated News