PNP vows to pursue ‘mission’ as groups assail ‘mayhem and killing’ of activists
VARIOUS groups and individuals have called on the government to investigate and end the “mayhem and killing” of activists and rights defenders following the death of nine people during operations carried out jointly by the police and the military in Southern Tagalog over the weekend.
“We must end this wanton disregard for the rule of law and due process. Ngayon, aktibista ang hinuhuli at pinapatay. [It is activists who are now being arrested and killed]. Maaaring bukas, ikaw na ang target [Probably tomorrow, you would be the next target]. Hihintayin pa ba nating mangyari yon? [Are we just going to let that happen?]” former Vice President Jejomar Binay said in a news statement.
Binay, also a founding official of the political party United Nationalist Alliance, scored the government over the operations which resulted in the killing of nine activists and the arrest of four others in Rodriguez, Rizal and in the provinces of Cavite, Batangas and Laguna during the joint operations of policemen and soldiers on Sunday, which has been dubbed as “Bloody Sunday.”
“There are set procedures for serving warrants, but according to eyewitnesses, these were not followed by the police. There are rules of engagement, but like many other instances, these were reportedly not observed by the police. And I am almost certain that the police would justify the killings by insisting that the victims fought back. Lumang tugtugin na ang excuse na nanlaban ang biktima,” he said.
The philippine national police(p np ), through its spokesman Brig. Gen. Ildebrandi Usana, dismissed criticisms over the operations, although he said that the national headquarters “will let the regional director handle this concern and submit update to the Chief, PNP.”
“In the meantime, the PNP leadership encourages our policemen on the ground to intensify the drive against violators of law, more so on the strength of either arrest or search warrants. That’s the mission of the PNP, and we don’t mind those criticizing the efforts of our police officers who are just doing their job to serve and protect the people,” he said.
Karapatan identified five of those who died during the government operations as Melvin Dasigao, Mark Lee Bacasno, Emmanuel Asuncion and couple Ariel and Chai Lamita Evangelista, who were reportedly killed inside their residence in Nasugbu, Batangas as their 10-year-old son hid under the bed.
The group also said that four others were arrested during raids in the cities
In the meantime, the PNP leadership encourages our policemen on the ground to intensify the drive against violators of law, more so on the strength of either arrest or search warrants. That’s the mission of the PNP, and we don’t mind those criticizing the efforts of our police officers who are just doing their job to serve and protect the people. PNP spokesman Brig. Gen. Ildebrandi Usana
of Cabuyao and Laguna. It identified them as labor leader Esteban Mendoza, Elizabeth Camoral of Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan), Karapatan paralegal Nimfa Lanzanas and Eugene Eugenio of the Confederation for the Recognition and Advancement of Government Employees (Courage)-rizal.
“We should all be alarmed and concerned by yesterday’s [Sunday] series of arrests conducted by the PNP…,” Binay continued.
Us-based rights group human rights Watch (HRW) urged the government to investigate the use of lethal force and end the “mayhem and killings” that accompanies the practice of red tagging.
HRW’S Deputy Asia Director Phil Robertson declared that Sunday’s operations “appear to be part of a coordinated plan by authorities to raid, arrest, and even kill activists in their homes and offices.” He noted that the deadly raids were carried out just two days after President Duterte “ordered ” state forces to “kill all” communists and not be bothered by human rights.
“These incidents are clearly part of the government’s increasingly brutal counter-insurgency campaign aimed at eliminating the 52-year-old Communist insurgency,” Robertson said.
He said the campaign no longer makes a distinction between armed rebels and non-combatant activists, labor leaders and rights defenders.
Binay observed that each passing day, legitimate dissent, which is allowed under a democracy, is being equated to armed insurgency.