Pro-Palestine groups demanded the release of Edison Yu, 32, who was arrested by the Taguig Police during a rally in front of the Israel Embassy in Bonifacio Global City on June 8.
“Illegal detention, disallowing visits, and non-disclosure of custodial transfer — these are some of the unconstitutional human rights violations the Taguig City Police had committed in detaining animal and climate activist Edison Yu,” the Youth for Palestine-Makati posted on Facebook.
Edison Yu (top) and Youth for Palestine-Makati during a protest in Bonifacio Global City in Taguig on June 8 (Photos from Pasay for Palestine and Youth for Palestine-Makati Facebook pages)
“Youth for Palestine-Makati strongly condemns the series of gross human rights violations perpetrated by Taguig City Police,” it added.
The Taguig Police issued a statement to refute the accusations, saying Yu was arrested “for assaulting a diplomat security staff member and causing alarm and scandal in front of the Israel Embassy in BGC, Barangay Fort Bonifacio, Taguig.”
“This is contrary to what the Youth for Palestine-Makati alleges that Yu was illegally arrested by BGC Police for taking photos of a road blockage and police presence,” the police stated.
Yu, the Taguig Police said, was detained after shouting at and punching diplomat security officer Rodolfo Osorio Jr. in the stomach when he informed Yu that taking pictures of the Israel Embassy was prohibited.
They said that when Osorio asked assistance from the police, “Yu became more furious, used profanities against the policemen and caused a disturbance in the area, leading to his arrest.”
“There is no basis for the group's claims that the police actions constituted ‘brutality’ and ‘violence,’ as the police were merely attempting to pacify the situation. It was the suspect who continued to create a scene in the area despite the police's calm approach,” the Taguig Police said.
They added, “We remind everyone that the police's primary concern is to serve and protect the public. We are non-partisan and are not influenced by any group or organization. Our sole aim is to perform our duty diligently.”
Acting Taguig Police chief Col. Christopher Olazo said, "We call on all protesters, regardless of their stance, to maintain peace and order while expressing their views. Respectful and peaceful demonstrations ensure that voices are heard without compromising public safety."
Pro-Palestine rally in Taguig on June 8 ((Photos from Pasay for Palestine and Youth for Palestine-Makati Facebook pages)
Statement by Acting Taguig Police chief Col. Christopher Olazo (Photo from Taguig Police Facebook account)
The Youth for Palestine-Makati said, “This severe breach of people’s right to due process worries us about the state of civil freedoms Filipinos have under unlawful police action. The blatant disregard to the writ of habeas corpus further underlines Taguig City Police’s practice of impunity — to ‘serve and protect’ not the people but the embassy of genocidal Israel.”
“Taguig City Police’s excessive force and infraction to Edison reflects directly the attitude of Israel to the field of human rights. In our stand to end the genocide in Gaza, we also call upon ending police brutality and abuse perpetrated against those of the likes of Edison, who call for justice in Palestine.”
They called on President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Taguig Mayor Lani Cayetano “to respond to this act of police violence and urge the release of Edison. BGC-Taguig City Police must be held accountable for their acts of brutality and disservice to the Filipino and Palestinian people.”