PUBLIC Attorney’s Office chief Persida Rueda-Acosta was praised for the effort and time extended by the public attorneys especially those belonging to PAO-Manila office who assisted those held in police custody including minors following the violent Sept. 21 protest actions in Mendiola area.
It was learned that all the minors – 90 in total – have already been released without being charged for any offenses.
But most of these minors – 60 of them – would have to undergo programs, particularly community service, said PAO-Manila chief Atty Patrick Montemayor.
The 30 others, who were 15 years old below, were already turned over to their parents or relatives through the intercession of the Department of Social Welfare and Development.
“But their parents had first undergone what we called parental assessment just to make sure that they were properly turned over to their respective family,” according to Montemayor.
Montemayor told Good Riddance that PAO had also assisted most of those detained who were adults and were also released from the police custody but ‘for further investigation.’
The PAO chief hailed the public attorneys from PAO-Manila for their dedication in assisting several Persons Under Police Custody after the anti-corruption protest actions that turned violent particularly along Mendiola Street in Manila.
“PAO continues to safeguard the rights of the accused and ensure that due process of law is faithfully observed,” Acosta said.
But a few days after the protest actions, the Manila prosecutor’s office already ordered the release of some protesters due to delays in the preparation of cases against them who only underwent inquest proceedings as a preliminary investigation.
CHR in solidarity with Filipinos
Commission on Human Rights Chairman Richard Palpal-latoc has reiterated its position that it has always been standing together with Filipinos in condemning corruption in the government but not with violence, destruction of property
A lawyer, Palpal-latoc said the commission is convinced that this (corruption) deprives communities of essential services and violates fundamental rights.
It then emphasized that citizens have the right to peaceful assembly and to express grievances, especially in calling out corruption in government.
“However, while protest is a legitimate exercise of democratic freedom, acts of violence and destruction of property cannot be condoned as they endanger public safety and harm communities,” the CHR chief said.
