The Center for Trade Union and Human Rights (CTUHR) condemns police brutality perpetrated against a segment of the anti-corruption protests on September 21, ironically the 53^rd anniversary of Ferdinand Marcos Sr’s declaration of Martial Law. The Ferdinand Marcos Jr government should exert all efforts to rectify the human rights violations committed by the police on that day.

The Marcos Jr government must understand that most workers and Filipinos are angry at the extreme levels of corruption that have been exposed in recent weeks. Many rightly want and demand immediate government action to hold the corrupt contractors and politicians accountable. Many are critical of the country’s institutions for being so corrupt and of the culture of impunity surrounding corruption.

Riots do not mean the suspension of people’s human rights. Peace and order must always be balanced with human rights, because there will never be peace and order when human rights are being violated.

On September 21, more than 200 protestors and by-standers were arrested, many randomly. Among these, 89 are reportedly minors. Social media is awash with videos of police personnel using excessive, not reasonable, force against individual protesters. Those arrested went incommunicado to their families, lawyers and human rights organizations for hours and were denied medical treatment.

Palace press officer Claire Castro, talking to the rioters in a press briefing on Monday, said that “And the people behind you who exploited you are greedy for power.” We call on Ms. Castro and the Marcos Jr government to stop seeing a conspiracy while the government is still carrying out investigations. Such statements can only encourage police brutality and human rights violations.

The Dutertes and their allies, who have the intention of exploiting public outrage to attack the Marcos Jr government, should be differentiated from impoverished youths and their groupings who are angry at corruption and take inspiration from the anti-corruption protests in Indonesia and Nepal. A sustained mass movement calling for Marcos Jr’s resignation has not taken shape, so the government can afford to be more cautious in its statements and actions.

The Marcos Jr government should learn from the riots of September 21. Public anger is expected to mount until those accused of corruption and plunder are brought to justice. Police brutality has marred the country’s commemoration of the struggle for democracy and human rights against the declaration of Martial Law and President Marcos Jr’s profession of adherence to these principles.