Arrested Sept. 21 Manila protesters still detained; lawyer says it’s illegal

A total of 190 individuals, who allegedly caused disturbance during the September 21 protest in Manila, have been detained for over 36 hours without charges, which is illegal according to a lawyer.

“Wala ng reason to hold them in this facility dito sa MPD dahil yung mga charges na possible ikaso sa kanila, ilang oras na ang napalipas. Under sa batas natin, we have a maximum of 36 hours para idetain mo ng walang charges ang isang tao,” Atty. Maria Sol Taule, Karapatan deputy secretary general, said in Oscar Oida’s Tuesday report on “24 Oras.”

(There is no reason to detain them in the Manila Police District headquarters because there are still no charges filed against them. Under the law, we have a maximum of 36 hours to detain them without charges.)

The MPD explained it is still processing the 190 individuals.

“Makakaasa kayo na di natin pababayaan yung mga nasa kustodiya natin with regards sa mga pagkain, ipo-provide po natin yun pati po yung kanilang mga medical na atensyon,” MPD spokesperson Major Philipp Ines said.

(We assure that we will not neglect those under our custody. We will provide the necessary food and medical care they need.)

Based on the analysis of the Department of Social Welfare and Development, 60 minors are capable of discernment and could be held accountable under the law.

Meanwhile, 25 minors were turned over to the Manila Social Welfare Office.

The MPD also denied that they led a minor to the hotel employees to be beaten.

“Kaya siya dinala doon sa taas ay para ipa-identity siya dito sa mga empleyado ng hotel na ito kung ito bang mismong bitbit ng pulis, ito ba yung nagnakaw, nanira sa kanilang hotel. At dahil nakita natin, mataas ang emosyon ng mga nabiktima nila, di nila napigilan na masaktan nila yung tao,” Ines said.

(He was brought there so that the hotel employees could identify if he was the thief. And because of high emotions, the hotel employees beat him up.)

He added that the MPD will not tolerate police officers who hurt individuals during arrest and will verify the video circulating online. —Mariel Celine Serquiña/LDF, GMA Integrated News