PNP to review raps vs. Sep. 21 protesters after Manila court quashes cases

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The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Thursday said it would review its procedures and the criminal charges filed against eight individuals in connection with the September 21, 2025 rallies after a Manila court quashed the cases.

At a press briefing, PNP spokesperson Police Brigadier General Allen Rae Co said the organization respects the court's decision but maintained that filing the cases against the protesters was justified.

“It was justified, the filing of the case. If I understood correctly, mali po yung pagkakaintindi natin. We will not just even look to na yung mismong mga tao na naaresto na sila ang gumawa,” Co said.

(The filing of the cases was justified. If I understood correctly, we are wrong in our understanding. We will not just even look at the accused individuals that they were the very persons who did it.)

“So it doesn't mean that it was unjustified yung pag-file natin ng case. So titignan po natin yan, review-hin natin ang ating procedures, titignan natin ang pagfi-file po natin ng case,” he added.

(So it doesn't mean that it was unjustified that we filed the case. So let's look at that, review our procedures, let's look at our filing of the case.)

Co stressed that PNP’s actions were not intended to suppress freedom of expression, saying authorities recognize the constitutional right of individuals and groups to hold peaceful assemblies.

However, he said that the right to peaceful assembly is not absolute, particularly when protesters supposedly infringe on the rights, property, and safety of other people.

According to him, police intervention may be warranted when a demonstration becomes disorderly.

On September 21, 2025, a total of 113 people were arrested for throwing rocks, destroying properties, and burning tires during protest action against corruption.

A total of 93 police personnel were injured. — RSJ, GMA News