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.
***
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.
***
There, make
your own conclusion if there was crime imputed by the police on the
cause-oriented groups.
***
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.
No comments:
Post a Comment