Two more police officers after an initial report of five patrolmen have been injured during today’s Labor Day protest, according to a report by RH 52 Edniel Parrosa.
This was Manila Police District (MPD) Director PBGen. Arnold Santiago’s statement after personally visiting the officers who were rushed to the Philippine National Police (PNP) General Hospital in Camp Crame.
Santiago said one and the same suspect was responsible for the injuries of one patrolman and robbing another policeman of his phone.
Authorities learned that the suspect had previously been charged in connection with the September 21 riot, but the case did not proceed due to technicalities.
On Friday, he was among the demonstrators belonging to the Sandigan ng mga Manggagawa from Quezon City.
“Mayroon na kaming picture dito, from the time na naka-mask siya (‘yung suspect), hanggang tinanggal niya ‘yung mask niya. Nag-circulate na ito sa social media. Marami pong tumulong sa aming mga kababayan natin, at na-uncover na po ‘yung kanyang identity,” Santiago told reporters.
The media has not been able to interview the 26-year-old police officer recovering from skull and wrist injuries and awaiting his CT scan and x-ray results.
In an earlier report, five patrolmen sustained injuries while deployed in Kalaw Avenue, Manila.
While three were declared in stable condition, two remain in the PNP hospital: the said 26-year-old officer, who was hit by the suspect in a balaclava, and a 28-year-old who developed hematoma in one arm due to conflicts with the protesters.
The PNP condemned this violence towards its personnel and vowed to press charges against the suspect.
“Kinokondena ng Philippine National Police ang pananakit na ginawa ng mga protester at raliyista sa ating mga kapulisan na ginagampanan lang nila ang kanilang tungkulin. Ang lahat ng uri ng karahasan, maging sa sinuman, ito ay hindi katanggap-tanggap,” PNP Spokesperson PBGen. Randulf Tuaño said.
“Ang nasabing mga pangyayari, ang pananakit sa ating kapulisan, kasama na po ‘yung pagnanakaw sa cellphone ng ating mga pulis na nando-documents o nagre-record ng mga nasabing activity, ito po ay iimbestigahan, at pananagutin ang sinumang may sala, ayon sa umiiral na batas,” he added.
