DOJ probing socmed posts after Manila rally — Remulla

The Department of Justice (DOJ) is looking into posts on social media that may have encouraged rallyists to wear black masks and commit certain acts during the protest against corruption on Sunday, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said Monday. 

“We’re asking some of our people to trace the threads in social media because they have identified a thread that involved the wearing of black t-shirts, and the wearing of masks, and other things that coincided with the behavior of these young people,” Remulla said in an interview.

During the protest, individuals wearing black clothing, bonnets, and masks hurled objects and destroyed properties along Ayala Boulevard, Mendiola, and Recto Avenue.

According to Remulla, they are looking into whether there are people behind the incident. 

“Ganito kasi, very similar ‘yung nangyari sa Nepal. ‘Yung nangyari sa Nepal ganyan, mga kabataan na hinimok, at nagkaroon sila ng ganyang klaseng pag kilos. Kaya ayun ang pinag iingatan natin,” he said.

(Because what happened is very similar to Nepal. What happened in Nepal was like that; the youth were encouraged, and they engaged in that kind of movement. That’s what we’re being cautious about.)

When asked about Manila Mayor Isko Moreno's statement that he received initial reports that a former politician and a lawyer allegedly funded the rallyists, Remulla said authorities are already looking into this. 

“Kasi when we're talking about minors, syempre may protection ang state diyan,” he said.

(Because when we’re talking about minors, of course, the state protects them.)

“Ayaw natin silang i-treat as hardened people kaagad. Dapat bigyan muna natin ng paguna ang sitwasyon bago tayo mag proceed with the cases against them,” he added.

(We don’t want to treat them as hardened people right away. We should first prioritize the situation before we proceed with the cases against them.)

He said that they must find out if the minors “acted in discernment.” 

“Kasi if above a certain age… they can actually face the music, many of them can actually face the music already. Ang pinagaawayan naman diyan ‘yung statutory age when discernment is not yet presumed from a person,” he said.

The Justice secretary said the DOJ has already tapped the help of the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

Earlier, Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla said that those involved in the violent protest action in Manila may face sedition charges.—LDF, GMA Integrated News