Palace denies curtailing freedom of expression

MANILA – The Aquino administration is not curtailing the freedom of expression and assembly of those critical to the administration following the arrest of a student protester during the Independence Day flag-raising rites in Naga City attended by President Benigno Aquino III, Malacañang said Saturday.

In an interview over dzRB Radyo ng Bayan, deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said that protest actions are being allowed for as long as they are peaceful and orderly.

“You know that’s not true,” she said when asked that the government has been curtailing the freedom of expression and assembly by the protesters following the detention of a youth demonstrator who heckled Aquino while he was delivering a speech in Naga City.

The protester was reportedly released on the following day after posting bail.

“Nakita po natin lahat ng mga protesta at mga rally na nangyayari at hindi po naman sila naaabala. Sinisigurado lang po ng ating PNP (Philippine National Police) na maayos at mapayapa ‘ yung kanilang mga pagkilos. In fact, nagkaroon po sila ng rally noong June 12 diyan sa Liwasang Bonifacio at wala naman po sa kanilang nadetain o sinampahan ng kaso,” Valte said.

She also clarified that the Presidential Security Group (PSG) was not the one that filed complaint against Aquino’s heckler but the local police. (SDR/ Sunnex)