Sad and angry.
This was how Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa described his reaction to the news about the incident during the protest in front of the United States (US) Embassy in Manila on Wed, Oct 19.
READ: Police vehicle runs over civilians at US Embassy protest in Manila
The protest had turned hostile and a policeman driving a police vehicle ended up running over several protesters. The cop has been identified as Police Officer 3 (PO3) Franklin Kho.
READ: Cop in US Embassy incident: Rallyists tried to seize the vehicle
An Inquirer.net report by Julliane Love De Jesus quoted Dela Rosa’s statement, wherein he disclosed, “Napanood ko ang video at nakakalungkot at nakakagalit. I saw people got hurt. Ayaw na ayaw ko na may nasasaktan na Pilipino.”
(“I have seen and the video and I am sad and angry. I saw people got hurt. I do not want any Filipino getting hurt.”)
The report noted: “PNP spokesperson Senior Supt. Dionardo Carlos read Dela Rosa’s message at a press conference in Camp Crame on Thu, Oct 20. The police chief is currently in China along with President Rodrigo Duterte and other Philippine delegates for an official trip.”
Dela Rosa further stated, “But I cannot let emotions get the best of me. As chief of the PNP, I have a duty and moral obligation to look into this squarely, and deal with it swiftly and decisively.”
He also revealed, “The President has been briefed about the incident and he stressed on the obligations of our police to serve and protect the people. But as he said, we cannot point fingers right away without clear investigation. Our other priority now, is to look into the victims, and check on their recovery and safety after such an unfortunate incident.”
In any case, Dela Rosa instructed Chief Supt. Oscar Albayalde of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) “to place all officers involved in the riot under administrative relief to ensure utmost impartiality of the investigation.”
As such, nine personnel of the Manila Police District (MPD) have been removed from their posts. Kho is among these personnel, as well as Senior Supt. Marcelino Pedrozo, the ground commander at the rally who allegedly ordered the violent dispersal.
While the case is being probed, the nine officers will temporarily report to the NCRPO’s personnel holding and accounting unit.
MPD director Senior Supt. Joel Coronel added that “all 40 civil disturbance management (CDM) cops deployed at the rally will not be performing CDM duties pending the investigation of the incident.”
