PROF HELD AT NAIA DENIES NICA ALLEGATION
Australian-American law professor, Gill Boehringer, on Monday said he never took part in protests against the Philippine government as he reiterated his appeal for the Bureau of Immigration to lift the blacklist order issued against him.
In a statement, Boehringer denied allegations reportedly made by the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (Nica) of his association with “communist terror groups.”
“That is preposterous. It seems that in the Philippines today, almost anyone can be labeled a terrorist or in association with terrorists. I deny the accusation. I certainly am not a supporter of terrorism from whatever source,” the 84-yearold human rights advocate said.
Poll observer
Boehringer, however, admitted to being critical of some government policies and practices when he served as an international election observer in the Philippines in 2007 and 2010.
“Are those the activities of a terrorist? Surely not. Rather, they might more appropriately be considered an attempt to make a rational contribution within the vibrant national discourse about how democracy can be strengthened, the rule of law protected and social justice ensured,” he said.
Since Boehringer arrived in Manila from Sydney on Aug. 1 to visit his Filipino wife in Mindanao, he has not been allowed to leave Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia). His lawyer, Maria Sol Taule, said that with his history of blood clotting, putting him on a plane back to Australia would put his health at risk.