PNP chief defends arrests amid EDSA anniversary

Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Police General Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. defended the arrest of two activists following a scuffle between protesters and authorities during the 40th anniversary of the EDSA People Power Revolution on Wednesday.

Nartatez said Thursday that while officers were instructed to observe maximum tolerance, the policy becomes “moot and academic” when personnel are physically assaulted or public safety is at risk.

The arrests occurred on the southbound lane of EDSA near the EDSA Shrine. Police identified the two individuals as Edel Parducho, a human rights activist, and Three Odena, a youth activist. Authorities alleged the pair hurled stones at officers and disrupted traffic.

The PNP reported that three police officers sustained minor cuts and bruises during the encounter. The two protesters face charges of direct assault, resistance and disobedience to a person in authority, alarm and scandal, and violation of the Public Assembly Act.

“Our personnel used only the minimum amount of force necessary to subdue the individuals and prevent further injury,” Nartatez said, adding that the overall commemoration was “generally peaceful.”

However, Kabataan Partylist condemned the arrests, accusing the police of brutality and “gaslighting” the public. Representative Renee Co said video evidence shows Parducho was acting as a marshal protecting women from police pushes, while Odena was merely taking photographs before being apprehended.

“The police are once again flipping the narrative,” Co said. “This proves that the legacy of the dictatorship lives on — Marcos then, Marcos now.”

The National Capital Region Police Office deployed more than 13,000 personnel to manage an estimated 8,570 participants across Metro Manila. Police officials said they did not prevent the rally but had requested protesters limit themselves to one lane to manage traffic.

Meantime, NCRPO director Maj. Gen. Anthony Aberin, who supervised the operations, maintained that the police presence was anchored on discipline and respect for constitutional rights despite the “isolated incident” of violence.