Militants cry foul: ‘We have freedom of expression’

CEBU, Philippines — Militants have decried plans by the police to file charges against following an “unruly” protest rally last Monday.

“Dapat, sila maminaw kay naa man mi katungod sa (They have to listen because we have) freedom of speech,” said Jaime Paglinawan, chairman of Bayan Central Visayas, in a phone interview.

He made the remarks after Police Regional Office in Central Visayas unveiled plans to file charges for damage to government property and direct assault against at least 10 out of around 150 protesters on Monday.

Tension ensued between various cause-oriented groups and cops from Camp Sergio Osmeña, the regional headquarters when the former trooped to the PRO-7 headquarters on EDSA anniversary day.

The militant members were protesting outside using sound systems and microphones when the regional police office turned the music on in what was understood as a move to drown out the noise from the protesters.

UP professor and chair of Karapatan Visayas Phobe Zoe Sanchez said they were offended over the music, prompting others to clamp on the metal gates.

The clamping and pushing lasted for a few minutes — with both sides pushing.

It was only stopped when the regional chief of the directorial staff, Senior Superintendent Ronald Oliver Lee, stepped in and confronted the militants.

Sinas said yesterday though that the music was not meant to provoke the protesters.

He said it was a holiday and music was turned on for a dance rehearsal and entertainment.

“Wala koy pakialam kung masuko sila, anyway amoa tong lugar di man to ilahang lugar. Kadtong ilang gibuhat foul to bisan kinsa, inyong balay gub-on ang gate lipay kaha mo?” Sinas said.

Sinas said they will pursue the charges to serve as a lesson as they have been lenient to protesters in the past.

“We always allow them to express their rights; ang di lang pwede nga panggub-on ang atong mga gamit. Ever since gi-allow na, bisan pa mag-traffic. Kadto lang gyud makita sa camera nga nagisi sa mga tarpaulin, nagguba sa among boom mao among file-an, including the leaders,” Sinas said.

Paglinawan said they expected the charges but noted that these will not stop them from staging protest rallies and air their sentiments over the killings.

“Wala mi lain choice. Kay gina-expect na namo, kay wala pa to mahitabo,” he said.

He added that if needed, policemen who pushed back the gate should also be investigated.

“Ang kapulisan man pud ang kusog kaayo moduot. Kami igo lang nanuktok. Dapat imbestigahon pud ang nga pulis nga nagguba sa gate and tarpaulin. Kwestiyunon pud ang pulis, nga kusog miduot para sad siguro piiton ang kamot sa arong mga kauban,” he said.

Both sides have refused to attend any dialogue. — KBQ (FREEMAN)