THE Philippine National Police (PNP) has filed criminal charges against some 200 individuals, including a retired general, a congressman, and several businessmen over violent incidents that broke out during the anti-corruption rallies on Sept. 21.
In a press briefing on Monday, Dec. 1, acting PNP chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said that other cases are being tried in court.
“We have filed no less than 200 cases, and some of them are already being tried,” Nartatez said.
He added that the complaints included violations of Batas Pambansa No. 880 (rules on public assembly), arson, physical injuries, and inciting to sedition, but he did not provide a complete breakdown of the cases.
Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) director Maj. Gen. Robert Alexander Morico II declined to identify the respondents.
“There is a congressman. There is a retired high-ranking general among those charged. There are businessmen. Our investigation is continuing,” he said.
“In fact, we are just waiting for them to commit another mistake, but apparently, they know that some personalities have been summoned. They have realized that they can criticize the government, but not play with the law of the land,” he added.
Earlier, the CIDG confirmed that it had filed two criminal complaints against Cavite Rep. Francisco Barzaga over the violent incidents that occurred during the protests on Sept. 21 and Oct.12.
