MPD sues UP student over rally violence

MANILA, Philippines — A 19-year-old University of the Philippines student and the chairperson of Anakbayan in UP Los Baños was charged by the Manila Police District (MPD) for allegedly inciting protesters during a rally at the United States embassy last week that turned violent.

Mackie Valenzuela, an Applied Mathematics student in UP Los Baños, yesterday told The STAR the case filed against him by the MPD Mobile Force Batallion was “political persecution,” and denied that he instigated the rallyists to hurt policemen.

Senior Inspector Henry Navarro of the MPD general assignment and investigation section said Valenzuela was charged with illegal assembly, direct assault and physical injuries before the Manila prosecutor’s office on Friday for instigating protesters to throw rocks and hit police officers with the sticks of their banners.

Seven police officers said they suffered cuts and bruises during the altercation.

In a phone interview, Valenzuela said he merely told the protesters to hold their ranks while police fired water cannons at them during the July 21 rally.

He said at least 13 protesters during the dispersal were hurt, including Jerick Mendoza, who suffered a back and head injury.

Valenzuela said Mendoza plans to file charges against the police before the Commission on Human Rights.