Protest actions / Abellera new Cordillera PNP chief

BEHIND THE SCENES

Alfred P. Dizon

BAGUIO CITY -- It would do well for our friends in cause-oriented organizations to check their facts first before coming up with press statements on issues or they could be accused of twisting facts. Last Tuesday, we received a statement from the Cordillera Peoples’ Alliance headed by its secretary general Abigail Anongos commenting on a journal sent to media outfits last week by the Baguio City Police Office through the Cordillera Regional Police Office.

Hereunder is a statement of the CPA on the matter:    

The Cordillera Peoples Alliance (CPA) is deeply alarmed over the labeling of the Martial Law protest action on Sept. 21, as a crime by the Baguio City Police Office (BCPO) and Police Regional Office-Cordillera (PROCOR) in its journal sent to media.

This labeling by PROCOR is reminiscent of the fascist mindset of police and State security forces to consider protest a crime during the dark years of Martial Law. This is a very dangerous precedent and must be stopped immediately.

How could the BCPO and PROCOR label peaceful protest actions as crimes? As peace and law enforcers, BCPO and PROCOR should know better. We are not in a state of declared Martial Law.

Furthermore, the 1987 Philippine Constitution clearly guarantees freedom of speech, of expression, or of the press, or the right of the people peaceably to assemble and petition the government for redress of grievances.

Given these basis, we do not understand where the police is coming from. The protest action on Sept. 21 led by the Cordillera Human Rights Alliance and Tongtongan Ti Umili was a strong statement on the 43rd anniversary of Martial Law to remember and continue to call for justice and indemnification of victims and survivors who suffered during the dictatorship.

The protest action was also a public event to educate the wider public and the younger generation on the horrors of Martial Law. More importantly, the protest action highlighted the big role people’s movement in fighting against State repression and oppression.

This derogatory labeling against legitimate peoples actions should be corrected. We call on BCPO and PROCOR to immediately stop labeling peoples protest actions as crimes. Furthermore, BCPO and PROCOR should stop doing surveillance and harassment during activities and gathering of people’s organizations and advocates advancing the issues of peace, human rights, indigenous peoples, environment, health and more. Instead, we challenge BCPO and PROCOR should step up their investigation and crime prevention to ensure safe and peaceful communities in the City and in the region.

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Hereunder is the unedited police report: 

Subject: RALLY

Reference: Memo from ACD, BCPO dated September 21, 2015

Please be informed that about 9:30 AM of September 21, 2015, more or less twenty (20) members from the group of Innabuyog Gabriela, Cordillera Human Rights Alliance, Cordillera Peoples Alliance and KMU marched down from Post Office Loop towards Lower Session Road, Magsaysay Ave. Rotunda-Baguio City, Public Market and converged at People’s Park where they conducted a short program.

Personalities who led the rally were identified as Wendel Bolinget of Cordillera Peoples Alliance, Brenda Singson of the Cordillera Human Rights Alliance, Carlito Wayas of Piston Baguio, Nino Occoner and Joana Carino.

Chants and demands written on their banners/placards were:

a.    “Oplan BayanihanTutulan”

b.    “Karapatan ng Mamamayan Ipaglaban”

c.    “Militar sa Kanayunan Palayasin”

d.    “Increase Health Budget”

e.    “Sireregget ken Situtured a Labanan iti Pasismo ti Estado”

f.     “Stop privatization of BGHMC”

g.    “Stop the attacks on the indigenous people in the Philippines”

h.    “Justice for Emerito SamarcaDionel Campos Bello Sinzo”

i.      “End Impunity”

The activity ended at about 11:10 AM of same date with no untoward incident.

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There, make your own conclusion if there was crime imputed by the police on the cause-oriented groups.

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We received an invitation from Supt. Cherry M. Fajardo, chief of public information office of Cordillera regional police office inviting us to formal installation of Chief Supt. Ulysses J. Abellerawho took command of Cordillera Regional Police Office Sept. 23 at Camp BadoDangwa, La Trinidad, Benguet.

We were not able to attend the event due to a pressing appointment. But I guess, Abellera, a lawyer wanted to reach out to media. We hope he will hold a press conference soon on his policies and programs.

Meanwhile, Abellera’spredecessor, Chief Supt. Isagani R. Nerez was assigned by Camp Crame to Eastern Mindanao.