SENATORS have described the recent violent dispersal of a rally at the United States Embassy in Manila as “very disturbing” and insisted on the need for an immediate investigation on the abuse committed by members of the Philippine National Police against the protesters.
Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III on Thursday said the necessary investigation must be conducted that will look into the said violent dispersal that injured at least 50 protesters.
Pimentel said the incident might create a negative impression against the PNP, especially after the video showing a police van running over protesters went viral.
Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri also condemned the violent dispersal said that heads must roll if these PNP personnel refuse to practice maximum tolerance policy.
"What happened to the maximum tolerance policy of the police? Even during martial law, protesters have always known that police and protesters can always negotiate for events covered & even outside of their rally permits," he said.
Zubiri stressed that the PNP should review the lessons learned from all those years of rallies and demonstrations. Among them are how to deal with lightning rallies, no-permit rallies and rallies extending beyond their allowed time or permitted areas.
"We are in a democracy. We should also consider the impact of asymmetric use of force by the police. Protesters have clenched fists and loud voices. Police have truncheons, shields, huge water hoses, cars and trucks. The police should have encouraged the use of megaphones from opposing sides," Zubiri added.
Senator Richard Gordon said nothing can justify the police’s excessive use of force against the protesters.
However, Gordon said he sees no need for a Senate probe right now, considering that the PNP as an institution is already conducting their own investigation on the issue.
For his part, Senator Panfilo Lacson said any abuse by members of the PNP should not be tolerated.
Meanwhile, Senator Leila de Lima urged PNP chief Director General Ronald dela Rosa to look into the matter, saying there is no excuse to use violent, unnecessary and unreasonable measure against unarmed rallyist.
She said these rallyist are just exercising their constitutional right to air their grievances.
Senator Francis Pangilinan also called for a swift and impartial investigation into the incident as he condemned police brutality.
"Karumal-dumal. Brutal. Dapat may managot," Pangilinan said. (Sunnex)