PNP to charge protesters for burning effigies

MANILA, Philippines — Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil yesterday ordered the filing of criminal cases against activists who burned effigies during the third State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Marcos.

Marbil directed the police to initiate the filing of criminal complaints against members of Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) Southern Tagalog who burned an effigy of Marcos and Vice President Sara Duterte along Commonwealth Avenue on Monday morning as the highlight of their People’s SONA rally.

“If we do not catch you, we will file cases against you. There are no exceptions under the law,” Marbil told reporters in an interview on the sidelines of his inspection of police officers securing the SONA in Quezon City.

The burning of objects in the streets is among the offenses under Batas Pambansa 880 or the Public Assembly Act. Police may also file charges of violating environmental laws against the protesters.

Maj. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr., National Capital Region Police Office director, said police have documented the burning of effigies by the activists as evidence.

“We will refer the case and it will be a test case,” Nartatez said in an interview with reporters.

Marbil admonished the demonstrators for refusing to follow the law, adding the situation would have been different if police officers were the ones who committed infractions.

He cited previous instances wherein police officers had to contend with criminal cases after they retaliated when demonstrators became violent and breached their security cordon.

“If we inflict injury, you file criminal and human rights cases against us,” Marbil said.

Bayan denounced the PNP’s threat of arrest, saying it violates the people’s right to freedom of expression.

The PNP deployed 23,000 police officers for the SONA while activist groups mobilized around 10,000 people for their rally.