Prosecutor recommends dismissal of Sona effigy burning complaint

MANILA, Philippines — A Quezon City prosecutor has recommended the dismissal of a complaint against two members of activist group Bayan for burning an effigy during President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s second state of the nation address.

According to the resolution penned by Senior Assistant City Prosecutor Rowena C. Balagtas-Borge, there was no probable cause to indict Bayan president Renato Reyes Jr. and artist Max Santiago for violation of the Public Assembly Act.

“Upon evaluation of the evidence, the undersigned finds no probable cause to indict respondents for violation of Section 13, 3(g) of BP 880 (Public Assembly Act of 1985),” the resolution read.

The resolution said that the burning of an effigy of Marcos Jr. during the protest was done maliciously, but there was “no clear evidence” to prove that Reyes and Santiago were responsible for it

“Here, no clear evidence was presented to show that the respondents were the ones responsible for the burning of the effigy,” it continued.

In August, the Quezon City Police District filed a complaint against the two for the burning of the effigy which “greatly caused air pollution.”

“Wherefore, premises considered, it is respectfully recommended that the complaint against respondents be dismissed,” the resolution concluded.