Hold violent protesters accountable - Marcos

DOJ, PNP to probe Singson over 'revolution' call

- VARGYLL CYRUS GEDUCOS

President Marcos has directed concerned authorities to hold accountable all those who stoked and used violence during Sunday's rallies.

Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro bared this on Monday, Sept. 22, following the violence that ensued in Manila on Sept. 21, after the peaceful anti-corruption protests in Luneta earlier that day.

In a press briefing, Castro said those involved in the chaos would be held accountable.

"Everyone will be held accountable. That is what President Marcos wants for all who used violence during the peaceful rally on Sunday," Castro said in a Palace briefing.

The Palace Press Officer said the admin istration strongly condemned the group she referred to as "Team Itim," describing them as masked troublemakers who burned properties, pelted the police with rocks, and hurled Molotov cocktails in Mendiola and Ayala Bridge.

"They were not protesters with a legitimate cause against corruption.

They were out for violence-stealing, burning, and destroying public and private properties," she said.

Castro warned those who had exploited young people to join the violent acts.

"You will not escape from the law, nor those behind you or those who used you. They are greedy for power]," she said.

Figures from the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) showed 216 people were arrested on Sept. 21, including 127 adults and 89 minors.

Among the minors, 65 were children in conflict with the law (those aged 15 to 17), while 24 were children at risk or those aged 14 and below.

The DILG also reported that 95 police personnel were injured during the dispersals, some of them requiring serious medical attention.

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