Press Release
October 20, 2016

Koko calls for probe as video of police van running over rallyists goes viral

Senate President Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III called for an investigation of a video, currently going viral, of a police van running over protesters at the US Embassy.

"I call on PNP Chief Director-General Ronald dela Rosa to immediately investigate this incident and take action against those responsible, uniformed or otherwise" Pimentel said.

The incident happened during police attempts to disperse a rally at the US Embassy on Wednesday, October 19.

The video showed a police van reversing into a crowd of protesters and then moving back and forth among them. A protester in green was shown being pinned and run over by the van.

Pimentel however clarified that his call does not mean he is presuming guilt on any party.

He said, "The video on its own is very disturbing, but is not the whole picture. We must not pass judgment until we know the whole story."

He added that he is concerned that the video may damage the image of the Philippine National Police force as a protector of the people.

The protesters were a part of the "Lakbayan ng Pambansang Minorya para sa Sariling Pagpapasya at Makatarungang Kapayapaan," and were rallying in support of the administration's independent foreign policy.

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