Napolcom slams injury of 7 cops in Labor Day protests

The National Police Commission (Napolcom) on Saturday condemned the actions that led to the injury of at least seven police officers during Labor Day protests in Manila.

According to a dzBB report by Luisito Santos, Napolcom Chief Commissioner Rafael Calinisan said the protesters’ right to free expression does not extend to causing harm to law enforcers.

He added that violence has no place in a society that values peace and order, stressing that no one has the right to harm police personnel.

Napolcom also commended the police officers for their discipline and for observing maximum tolerance during the protests.

Tensions between protesters and police along Kalaw Avenue on Thursday resulted in injuries to seven officers. Authorities said some officers were allegedly assaulted, while one reportedly had a mobile phone snatched.

Protesters, however, denied initiating the violence.

“Malinaw naman na hindi kami ang nanguna sa gulo. Pero sinasabi nilang nanuntok, wala kaming sinusuntok na mga pulis diyan dahil sila pa nga ang nanggugulo sa aming araw na ito ng paggawa,” said KMU Vice Chair Lito Luces.

(It is clear that we did not start the violence. As for claims that someone threw a punch, we did not hit any police officers because they were the ones provoking trouble during Labor Day.)—Jiselle Anne c. Casucian/MCG, GMA News