NGO alliance slams police brutality; PNP-CIDG files charges vs 97 people over riot violence

By Nash Villena, Philippine Canadian Inquirer

‘ANARCHISTS’. Masked protesters in black set fire to tires beside a container van used as police barricade at Ayala Bridge near Malacañang on Sunday (Sept. 21, 2025). The violent act triggered clashes with police during Sunday’s anti-corruption rally. (PNA Photo by Avito Dalan)

MANILA, Philippines — The Defend NGOs Alliance slammed President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s government for criminalizing and harassing individuals who participated in the September 21 mass protest against the anomalous flood control controversy.

The alliance stressed in a Facebook post on October 31 that the more than 200 protesters arrested during the riots experienced violence from the police, particularly some student-leaders who were harassed through subpoenas for starting school protests.

“Habang ang mga personalidad na sangkot sa isyu ng korapsyon sa flood control ay patuloy na nakaiiwas sa hustisya, inaatake naman ng pulisya ang mga nagbabantay kontra korapsyon – mga kabataan, magsasaka, mangingisda, manggagawa at iba pang sektor,” it wrote.

(While the personalities who are involved in the corruption of flood control projects and are still at large from justice, the police force attacks those who speak out against corruption—the youth, the farmers, the fisherfolks, labor workers, and other sectors.)

“Hindi kami mga kriminal, kungdi ang mga korap!” the alliance emphasized.

(We are not criminals; it’s those who are corrupt!)

PNP-CIDG files charges vs alleged violent protesters

In the same week, the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) reportedly filed criminal charges before the Department of Justice against 97 individuals who were allegedly involved in the violence that ensued on Sept. 21.

On Monday, CIDG Director Maj. Gen. Robert Alexander Morico II confirmed the report in a press briefing at Camp Crame. He cited that the cases fall under the violation of the Revised Penal Code for conspiracy and proposal to commit rebellion or insurrection, sedition, and inciting to sedition.

Morico said the authorities are still on their investigation to look for more individuals to file charges against, particularly the alleged instigators and financiers of the violence.

“Ongoing yung investigation natin. Walang sisinuhin,” Morico said.

(Our investigation is still ongoing. We won’t spare anyone.)

“The investigation is continuing, and in the next few days, we will be filing cases again against the instigators and the supposed people behind the violent incident in Recto and in Mendiola,” he added.