MPD allows truncheons for anti-riot ‘frontliners’

Following a violent confrontation between rallyists and policemen that resulted in injuries to six crowd control personnel, mostly women, Manila Police District (MPD) will now allow its female officers manning the frontlines in rallies to carry truncheons.

The arming of riot personnel was the response of the MPD to the aggressive stance of rallyists, who attack law enforcers, even women, in their attempt to sow chaos and disorder in the streets, according to MPD director Chief Superintendent Pedro Bulaong.

The carrying of truncheons by anti-riot policemen had been disallowed in the past so as not to provoke the rallyists.

"At least 26 of our policemen, including uniformed women, were badly hurt in the consecutive rallies so we believe that it is only fair to give them protection against unruly members of militant groups," Bulaong said.

Yesterday some 20 female anti-riot officers, armed with truncheons, practiced troop formations. They were also instructed on the proper handling of truncheons.

According to MPD’s chief of staff Senior Superintendent Gorgonio Rosero, truncheons can only be used by officers "when the necessity arrives." He did not elaborate.

During last Friday’s rally, six anti-riot personnel, identified as Police Officers 3 (PO3) Marian Evangelista, Martheres Solidarius, Ma. Gracia Baldenas, Aldine Moreno, PO2 Gonzaga Joner and PO1 Allan Baysa were injured when rallyists tried to break through.

The policewomen, who were positioned at the front of rally lines, were yanked out and hit by male demonstrators. They suffered cuts and bruises.

Solidarius claimed one of the rallyists even pulled her helmet and used it to hit her head.

"Video footages clearly showed that most of the demonstrators assaulted the members of the anti-riot personnel despite the maximum tolerance," Bulaong said.