Ten people interviewed by Amnesty International detailed physical abuse – including violations that may amount to torture and other ill-treatment – by state forces following demonstrations in the capital Manila on 21 September. The research comes as thousands prepare to return to the streets on 30 November in renewed protests against government corruption.

“The disturbing evidence we have gathered of unlawful force unleashed by the police against protesters and others on 21 September makes a mockery of the Philippine government’s repeated claim that it exercises ‘maximum tolerance’ during protests,” said Jerrie Abella, Amnesty International regional campaigner.

The Philippines’ biggest demonstrations in years took place on 21 September, as tens of thousands in Manila and elsewhere protested against corruption by government officials, high-level politicians and contractors in flood-control and infrastructure projects.

Isolated incidents of violence from some protesters, including setting vehicles on fire and throwing stones at the police, were reported in Manila. Manila police said they arrested and detained 216 people who were allegedly involved in the violence, including 91 children. Many are facing criminal charges.

However, Amnesty’s research indicates that peaceful protesters and bystanders were also violently targeted by the police.

‘Rey’, 20, recounted how three men in plain clothes grabbed and punched him in the face as he tried to run away while holding a sign calling on people to take to the streets. The assault on Rey was captured in a video, by an unknown individual, which he found online and showed to Amnesty International.

“Police in uniform joined in to punch, kick and hit me with their batons. I briefly lost consciousness but woke up to pain as they dragged me by my hair,” Rey told Amnesty International.  

He said police accused him of taking part in violence that killed two officers, despite the fact that no police were killed in the protests. Rey said the beating only stopped when one officer warned the others that members of the media were approaching. He also described how he and his friend were taken by uniformed police into an ambulance, where they were beaten further.

‘Greg’, 18, and ‘Ryan’, 22, were arrested in separate incidents in Mendiola and Ayala Bridge in Manila for their alleged involvement in attacks against the police. Like all those interviewed, they were brought by the police to a blue tent in Mendiola, where police beat them further.

Lawyer Maria Sol Taule, from a legal aid group representing those interviewed, said the “notorious blue tent” served as a temporary holding area for those arrested. While it showed no outward sign of police affiliation, it appeared to be supervised by the police, according to the group’s investigation.”

International standards require police to always apply non-violent means first before resorting to force, and as a rule force must not be used against peaceful protesters. Even where some protesters engage in acts of violence, and the use of force becomes unavoidable, law enforcement must use only the minimum necessary force to achieve a legitimate objective. The use of force for the purpose of punishment is prohibited at all times.

On 25 September, lawyers’ groups filed a court motion seeking the release of over 100 people still detained without charge, or beyond the maximum 36 hours of detention allowed for warrantless arrests under Philippine law. Only those who had undergone inquest proceedings were subsequently released that day.

On 4 November, police said 97 individuals had been charged with conspiracy, sedition and other crimes over the protests.

Police said they released all children three days after their arrest. However, a children’s rights advocate supporting some children, who requested anonymity for their safety, told Amnesty the last detained child was released on 29 September, more than a week after being arrested.

According to the advocate, the children were arrested and beaten by the police during arrest and inside the tent, detained, and forced to do hours of community service upon release as “punishment”.

Mr Abella said: “Philippine authorities have an obligation to maintain law and order but also to respect and protect the rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly. Charges against people arrested solely for exercising these rights must be dropped.”