Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 23) — The Department of the Interior and Local Government on Saturday said it will investigate if undue force was used on a man seen in a viral video being pinned down by authorities for refusing to surrender his cart or kariton — an incident that has angered netizens and lawmakers.
“We will investigate if excessive force was used,” said Jonathan Malaya, DILG spokesperson. “We will ask the [local government unit] to give us an explanation on what happened.”
On Friday evening, news outfit DZMM TeleRadyo posted a captioned video of a man apparently being manhandled by the Parañaque Task Force while conducting road-clearing operations. Muntinlupa Rep. Ruffy Biazon also shared the post, pointing out that the man was still kicked in the face while he was already on the ground.
Senators Nancy Binay and Ping Lacson decried the incident, saying authorities should have shown “mercy” and “compassion.”
“In these trying times, compassion & the desire to help those in need should be the moral compass,” said Binay in a tweet.
Lacson also vowed action.
“That poor vendor’s ‘kariton’ may be his family’s only lifeline,” said the senator. “First things first. He must get back his life, maybe not by illegal vending. We’re on it. I trust my staff will find him.”
Even the strictest law has a heart in the right place. In these trying times, compassion & the desire to help those in need should be the moral compass. Imbes na saktan, unawain at tulungan na lang sana #karitonlessons #wagmosilangipagtulakan https://t.co/OYlvx74Sol
— Senator Nancy Binay (@SenatorBinay) January 23, 2021
