“Not in my administration.”

President Rodrigo Duterte has ordered the ban on bringing lethal weapons during demonstrations days after a police officer allegedly rammed a police vehicle towards protesters in a rally at the U.S. Embassy that left scores hurt.

During a press conference held after his arrival honors in Davao City Friday night, October 21, Duterte said that he would not allow the presence of long firearms during demonstrations, hinting on non-lethal anti-riot gear instead.

He also declined to give out an opinion on the US Embassy dispersal, awaiting instead a full report from the Philippine National Police.

But Duterte said he would have words with PO3 Franklin Kho, who was identified as the driver of the said vehicle.

“I will try to talk to the police, invite them for coffee. And I will talk to activists. I would like to know what really happened. I will do the questioning myself,” Duterte said.

During the press conference, Duterte said, “I do not want anybody hurt there—not the police, not the young militants…We should really treat this matter with civility.”

“In every country, there are always demonstrations. And the government, the police and military should expect that… It is part of the territory of democracy,” the president added.

In a statement, protest leaders lauded Duterte’s ‘level headedness’ on the situation but disputed his theory that the police officer was reportedly cornered.

Piya Macliing Malayao, lead convenor of Sandugo and one of those severely injured during the police vehicle plowing, said that they are “very much ready” to relay to the president what really transpired.

“With all due respect, Mr. President, the initial briefing you might have been given on the incident might be lacking. For one, various video footages of the incident show that the police vehicle in itself was positioned in an area with much space to maneuver. Yet PO3 Kho still recklessly driven in reverse and then forwards several times, toppling many unsuspecting protesters who by that time were still reeling from the effects of the tear gas that was just released moments before,” Malayao said.

Source:
courtesy of MANILA BULLETIN

by Yas D. Ocampo

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