Cops confirm Taguig tear-gas stampede 'an accident'

MANILA, Philippines - Police confirmed yesterday that a stampede that disrupted newly elected Taguig City Mayor Lanie Cayetano’s proclamation speech Wednesday was not deliberate but the result of an accidental removal of a tear gas canister’s pin.

Senior Superintendent Henry Losañes, Southern Police District deputy director for operations, said “the mood was festive. There was shouting here and there, and it’s possible that someone accidentally pulled the pin of the tear gas” canister, which Chief Inspector Mark Andrade wore on the back of his ammunition vest.

Losañes said nothing serious happened to Andrade, who was clad in complete Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) uniform, except that a “portion of his pants just got burned.”

Taguig police chief Senior Superintendent Camilo Cascolan reported that Andrade admitted that the pin of the tear gas canister was removed unnoticed.

He said those who suffered minor eye and skin irritation were brought to a nearby hospital for treatment.

National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) chief Director Roberto Rosales yesterday defended the police officers involved, saying they remain apolitical.

“Our policemen are highly trained in such a situation,” Rosales said in a text message.

Rosales also said the NCRPO will investigate if there are formal complaints to be filed against the Regional Mobile Group (RMG) team that was sent to keep the peace between the supporters of Cayetano and her rival, former Supreme Court Justice Dante Tiñga.

“If there are complaints, we will investigate,” Rosales said, stressing that the incident was an accident.

Accusations

Outgoing Taguig City Mayor Sigfrido Tiñga, who won the congressional race, yesterday criticized Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano for reportedly accusing the Tiñga camp of being responsible for the stampede.

He said the presence of the RMG team, which had the tear gas canister, was actually requested by the senator from the NCRPO.

Mayor-elect Cayetano, the senator’s wife, said the police should just do their job and investigate the incident.

“What is important is that the decision of the people to elect me as Taguig mayor is respected. I call for healing and reconciliation for the sake of the Taguigeños,” she said.

Cayetano earned 95,865 votes against the elder Tiñga, who garnered 93,445 votes.