PNP: September protest arrests justified

The Philippine National Police (PNP) announced Thursday it will review its legal procedures and case-filing processes after a Manila court quashed criminal charges against eight individuals linked to the violent protests on 21 September 2025.

PNP spokesperson Police Brig. Gen. Allen Rae Co said the organization respects the court’s ruling but maintained that the initial filing of charges was justified based on the circumstances surrounding the demonstrations.

Co acknowledged, however, that investigators may have fallen short in establishing positive identification linking the specific individuals arrested to the alleged offenses.

“If I understood correctly, we were not just able to prove that the arrested individuals were the ones who actually committed it. So it does not mean that the filing of the case was unjustified,” Co said.

He added that the force will evaluate its operational and legal procedures.

The September 2025 demonstrations against corruption turned violent, resulting in 113 arrests for alleged property destruction, stone-throwing, and tire-burning, alongside injuries to 93 police personnel.

Co stressed that law enforcement actions were not intended to suppress freedom of expression, noting that authorities fully recognize the constitutional right to peaceful assembly.

He cautioned, however, that public assemblies lose protection when demonstrations cross into violence and infringe upon public safety.

“This is not a suppression of freedom of expression. As we’ve said, once the peaceful exercise of that right stops, we’ll have to act,” Co said.

Asked about security measures for upcoming high-level gatherings such as the ASEAN Summit, Co stressed that police officers are equally entitled to protection from violence while performing their duties.

“You know, our police officers are human beings, too. They get hurt and bleed, so we also have to protect our personnel,” he said.