97 face sedition raps over Mendiola riot

MANILA, Philippines — Police have filed criminal charges against 97 people involved in the violent anti-corruption protest in Mendiola, Manila on Sept. 21, the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group said yesterday.

CIDG director Maj. Gen. Robert Alexander Morico II said complaints for inciting to sedition, conspiracy and proposal to commit sedition, and sedition as amended by Republic Act 10951 were filed last week before the Department of Justice against the suspects.

“These charges stem from the violent assembly in Mendiola. We have identified 97 people directly involved in the incident,” Morico said.

The investigation is ongoing and in the next few days, police will file more cases against the instigators and those behind the violence in Recto and Mendiola, Morico said.

The respondents include people who were recorded in videos of the riot. The others, including suspected financiers and planners, remain under investigation.

“We have issued subpoenas not only to those identified in the footage, but also to others suspected of funding and orchestrating the riot,” Morico said. “No one will be spared.”

According to Morico, the additional cases will target those who incited participants and made public statements, which encouraged violence.

“From the videos that circulated online, you can see the people calling to burn Malacañang,” Morico said, adding that some of the riot instigators are “personalities.” He refused to name names pending case buildup.

Morico said the CIDG is acting under the directive of acting Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. to ensure an airtight case against all those involved.

“The PNP is determined to hold accountable not only those who clashed with authorities, but also those who incited and funded the violence,” Morico said.

PNP public information office chief Brig. Gen. Randulf Tuaño said the 97 respondents comprise the first batch of cases.

“The second batch will include those who were issued subpoenas. Once their statements are obtained, we will be able to complete the entire picture, including the alleged leaders and other personalities involved,” Tuaño said.

He said the number of people facing possible charges may still increase as the CIDG probe continues.

Originally, around 40 people were identified for possible inclusion in the second batch, Tuaño said.

November 30 protest

More police officers will be deployed for the Nov. 30 protest against corruption, Nartatez said.

Force multipliers from the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine Coast Guard and local government units will also aid in tightening security, he said.

“We have been continuously preparing since Sept. 21,” Nartatez said, referring to anti-corruption protests that erupted due to anomalous flood control projects.