Police subpoenas student leaders after Martial Law commemoration protests

Most student leaders are being issued subpoenas by the police over recent anti-corruption protests, including the widely attended Sept. 21 rally that drew thousands of concerned civilians to the streets.

Police Maj. Helen Dela Cruz, Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) public information officer, confirmed that four individuals have been issued subpoenas, with only one responding as of this week.

Dela Cruz explained that the subpoenas were issued concerning alleged violations committed during the protest.

“Ang masasabi lang natin dyan is crimes and violations have been committed during the rally, at nakita naman natin doon na may mga nangyaring kaguluhan, may krimen, so, investigation is in order and is ongoing,” she stated. 

Philippine National Police (PNP) public information chief Brig. Gen. Randulf Tuaño, one of the police officers, cited Republic Act No. 10973, which gave the CIDG the authority to issue subpoenas and, if the subject refuses to comply, file a case for indirect contempt before a regional trial court.

Kabataan Party-list’s condemnation of the state harassment occurred after several youth leaders received subpoenas over protest actions.

In a statement, Kabataan Party-List Rep. Renee Co said officers from the youth groups Kalayaan Kontra Korapsyon (KKK) and Alyansa ng Kabataang Mamamahayag were among those called upon by the police.

“Wala na ngang klaro dahilan bakit pinatawag, mali-mali pa ang mga detalyeng nakalagay sa subpoena niya,” Co said.

The chairperson of the University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman University Student Council, Joaquin Buenaflor, on Thursday, Oct. 23, called out the Philippine National Police (PNP) and other students who participated in the rally against corruption.

“Ang i-subpoena, ang kasuhan, at arestuhin po ninyo ay ‘yung mga politiko at mga kontratista na nagnakaw ng bilyun-bilyon sa pondo ng bayan, nandoon po ang totoong mga kriminal. Dahil hangga’t walang nananagot, hangga’t walang nakukulong, hinding-hindi kami mananahimik!” he emphasized.

Co added that the party-list has also received reports that Tiffany Brillante, president of the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP), “was treated like a criminal.”

“Isa lang ang pahiwatig nito: mga taktika ito ng PNP upang takutin ang taumbayang nakikibaka,” she said.

The demonstrations fell on the 53rd anniversary of the declaration of martial law by Ferdinand Marcos, and the widespread protests are described as being of “profound historical significance,” describing the current corrupt government and the history of struggle that led up to these protests.