Remulla: DOJ will go 'all out' to support guard hurt during rally

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla on Friday said the Department of Justice (DOJ) will go "all out" in support of the security guard who sustained a head injury after he was allegedly hit with a spray paint can by a protester.

"The State unconditionally respects the right of the people to peaceably assemble and petition the government for redress of their grievances," Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said in a statement.

"However, in the name of justice and fair play, this right must end once the right of others begins," he added.

This came after a security guard was allegedly hit on the head with a paint can after he attempted to scold a protester for spray painting graffiti on the wall of the DOJ building.

"Galit siya kaagad. 'Yung response niya sa akin galit kaagad siya tsaka hinampas niya ko," the guard said in a media briefing.

(He got mad immediately. His already mad in his response and then he hit me.)

When asked if the security guards used force prior to the incident, he said they did not.

Justice Undersecretary Jesse Andres said the DOJ was building the case against the protester, and that the DOJ has CCTV footage on other individuals who may be possibly involved.

When asked if the department will become stricter regarding protests at the DOJ, Andres said more security and safety measures may be put in place "when the time comes that these protests become really unruly [and] disorderly."

According to Raffy Tima's report on 24 Oras, the spokesperson of Defend Southern Tagalog asserted that their protest was peaceful and that they did not intend to hurt anyone.

The spokesperson said that spraying graffiti was part of their right to freedom of expression.

Meanwhile, DOJ spokesperson Mico Clavano urged protesters to "drop the anger and violence."

"We urge rallying groups to avoid the rage rhetoric culture when rallying, understand what your true reason and motive why you are demonstrating, drop the anger and violence, let's talk peacefully, convince rather than coerce," he said.

One of the protesters was brought to the Manila Police District Ermita Police Station after the incident. — VDV, GMA Integrated News