MANILA (UPDATED) — A Manila court has ordered the arrest of a police officer who ran over protesters during a demonstration in October 2016.

The violent incident occurred on October 19, 2016, in front of the US Embassy in Manila, where a police mobile ran over demonstrators who were picketing in support of President Rodrigo Duterte's announcement of an "independent foreign policy" and to call for the pullout of US troops from the Philippines.

The group's program was about to end when the vehicle driven by PO3 Franklin Kho suddenly reversed and then moved forward, running over some of the protesters, including Argee Piya Malayao from the group Katribu.

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The injured individuals filed a complaint with the Office of the Ombudsman.

After eight years, the case has been filed in court.

"After eight years buti naman hindi nakalimutan ang kaso," Atty. Ephraim Cortez, legal counsel for the victims, said. 

"Based on evidence, malinaw ito. In fact, publicly niya itong ginawa. Ang daming footages bukod sa napakaraming witnesses na nakita yung ginawang pananagasa." 

(Based on evidence, this is a clear case. In fact, he did this publicly and there is so much footage on top of the witnesses who saw what happened)

Although they did not expect the wait to last eight years, Cortez of the National Union of Peoples' Lawyers considers it a welcome development.

He is urging his clients to continue with the case.

"Dapat ituloy. Kita naman yung bagsik ng ginawa. Para masawata yung impunity. Para lesson sa other police officers na — at the end of the day, at some point—  ay hahabulin sila ng accountability. So sana ituloy natin hanggang sa matapos," said Cortez.

(They should pursue this. It's clear how cruel this was. To end impunity, to serve as a lesson to other police officers that they will be held accountable at some point. I hope they see this case to the end.)

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For now, Cortez said, he will first try to find and talk to his clients to prepare them for the case proceedings. He last spoke to them in 2019, he added.

Based on the order from the Metropolitan Trial Court Branch 7 of Manila, PO3 Franklin Kho is to be arrested on three counts of attempted homicide. 

The bail is set at P36,000 per count. 

The Manila Police District is urging its former officer to surrender.

"Ang advise namin sumuko na lang siya at harapin itong kaso na naka file laban sa kanya," said Gen. Arnold Thomas Ibay, district director of Manila Police District

(Our advise to him is to surrender and just face the case.)

The court has set Kho's arraignment on September 2, 2024.