Man arrested for vandalism in Manila following protest rally
A man was arrested this afternoon after he was caught in the act of vandalizing a concrete post of the Light Rail Transit (LRT) at the corner of Recto Avenue and Legarda Street in Sampaloc, Manila, on Tuesday, Oct. 21.
The Manila Police District (MPD) identified the suspect as Georel Albaña, 28, and a resident of Barangay Burgos, Montalban, Rizal.
According to a report from the General Assignment and Investigation - Criminal Investigation Section (GAI-CIS) under the District Investigation and Detective Management Division (DIDMD), the incident occurred around 12:50 p.m., shortly after a rally in observance of National Peasant’s Day had concluded in the area.
The protest drew an estimated crowd of around 1,500 participants.
Police officers reportedly saw the suspect spray-painting graffiti on an LRT post.
Albaña was warned by the officers to stop, as vandalism is a punishable offense under the law.
However, he allegedly ignored the warning and continued his actions, prompting the officers to arrest him on the spot.
The suspect is now detained and faces multiple charges, including Disobedience to a Person in Authority (Article 151 of the Revised Penal Code), Tumults and Other Disturbances of Public Order (Article 153), Malicious Mischief (Article 327), and violation of Batas Pambansa Blg. 880, also known as the Public Assembly Act of 1985.
The MPD confirmed that Albaña remains in police custody while awaiting inquest proceedings before the City Prosecutor’s Office.