Members of the Samahan ng Progresibong Kabataan (SPARK) gathered at the Mandaluyong City Police Station on Thursday, Feb. 26, to denounce what they described as the unjust arrest of two activists during the People Power anniversary protest in EDSA Ortigas on Feb. 25.
The group demanded the immediate release of activists Three Odeña and Edel Parducho, who were subjected to inquest proceedings after being arrested at the demonstration. Both were reportedly charged with direct assault and physical injury.
They claimed that the arrests were illegal and that police allegedly harassed protesters during the rally.
“The trumped-up cases filed against them were mere pretenses to cover up police brutality enacted by the Eastern Police District to break up yesterday’s commemoration of the EDSA uprising in 1986,” the group said.
“Napakabilis ng kapulisan na dakpin at arestuhin ang mamamayang lumalaban lamang, pero ang mga kurakot, ang mga elitista, at mga dinastiyang patuloy na nagpapahirap sa ating lipunan, hindi naman nila magawang kasuhan, magawang arestuhin,” they added.
Prior to the arrest, the group claimed that Odeña was peacefully documenting the attempts by the Philippine National Police to cut off their contingent from their march to Ortigas when an officer suddenly shoved and pulled her hair multiple times before being forcefully arrested by the police.
“We reiterate our call to immediately and unconditionally release Odeña and Parducho and for an independent and thorough investigation of the police units involved in yesterday’s violence,” they called.
Earlier, the EPD mentioned that a slight commotion occurred between some protesters and elements of the PNP. It said that it resulted in the arrest of several individuals and minor injuries to some police personnel.
However, the situation was immediately pacified and brought under control.
“Law enforcement personnel exercised maximum tolerance while strictly adhering to established rules of engagement and crowd control protocols,” it said. (Richielyn Canlas)
