Troops of billy club-wielding anti-riot policemen drove away the peaceful protesters who occupied the outermost lane of the avenue leading to the Batasan. While still under negotiation, the ground commander ordered his men to disperse the crowd. Protesters ran for safety as police in full riot gear gave chase. Policemen started beating the protesters - even those who were on the ground and who were cooperating. Television footage showed a bloodied protester backed into a corner who was repeatedly hit on the head with clubs as police dragged him away.
The NCCP takes issue with the statements by the military and the media that the church people at the mobilization were impostors. They were sisters, priests, pastors, seminarians, and lay leaders who were compelled by their Christian faith to express their pastoral care for the marginalized sectors of the society.
Members of the NCCP are saddened by such acts of violence. In a democratic society, as government leaders thus claim, citizens have the right to assemble and call for a redress of grievances. The NCCP is trying to understand why the powers and principalities in the Philippines have resorted to violence to quell legitimate expression of the people's right to hold their government officials accountable. The council condemns the use of State violence at the protesters who were exercising their constitutional right to peacefully assemble in order to show, what for them, was the real state of the nation. The PNP's over-reaction to the situation and the policemen's aggressive behavior must be investigated by the Commission on Human Rights. They who are charged with guarding the safety and security of the citizens must be held responsible for the injuries sustained by the victims.
The NCCP constituency must not let their guard down. They are enjoined to pray unceasingly for the sorry state of the Philippines. Hope that those
supplications will be accompanied with vigilant actions that will ensure peace
and justice in the land. As opportunities arise, let us all challenge our
government officials to listen to the cry of the poor and the oppressed whom
Jesus came for.