Police gain lead on group behind metro casket dumps

MANILA, Philippines — Police have obtained leads on the people who dumped empty caskets with anti-communist and anti-China slogans across Metro Manila on Friday.

The Quezon City Police District (QCPD) got a breakthrough in its probe after one of the people who unloaded a coffin at Welcome Rotonda in Barangay Sta. Teresita came forward and is cooperating with police investigators.

Brig. Gen. Randy Glenn Silvio, QCPD director, said the person, driver of the Toyota Hi-Ace van which transported the coffin, revealed that different vehicles were used for the delivery of the caskets.

Four other coffins were discovered in Barangay South Triangle in Quezon City, Barangay 54 in Caloocan, Sta. Cruz, Manila and along Gil Puyat Avenue in Makati.

According to Silvio, the drivers were paid P8,000 each while their helpers got P1,000 each for unloading the caskets.

He did not comment when asked if they have already identified the group responsible for the stunt which angered the Chinese embassy.

“The QCPD assures the public that all leads are being thoroughly pursued and that appropriate criminal charges will be filed against those found responsible for this incident,” Silvio said.

A video obtained by GMA News showed a woman involved in the dumping of the caskets admitting it was part of their protest against China’s aggressive behavior in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

“For us Filipinos and the fisherfolk of WPS – look at who we are fighting for,” she said.

Based on the video taken by a resident from one of the areas, the woman was accidentally left by her companions who were in a van after they placed the coffin on the road.

While explaining her side, the woman said they belong to a party-list group and a Chinese community.

“We are only showing how we feel inside; there is nothing wrong with that,” she said.

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