Sinas welcomes raps filed by protesters

CEBU, Philippines —  The Police Regional Office (PRO)-7 has welcomed the filing of administrative charges the cause-oriented groups have lodged against them before the Office of the Ombudsman for the Military.

While saying that, the police also said that they will not hesitate to arrest these members if the warrant of arrest against them will be released.

"Basta naay kaso, well tubagon nato. Nafile-an na sila og kaso. Ang problema ani nila is if naa na mi warrant (against them)," said PRO-7 Chief Debold Sinas.

Several cause-oriented groups have filed several administrative complaints against Sinas and his men for allegedly disrespecting their right to peaceful assembly.

Complaints for serious misconduct, grave abuse of authority/oppression, conduct unbecoming of a public officer, discourtesy in the conduct of official duties, and Batas Bilang Pambansa 880 or Public Assembly Act were filed against Sinas and others.

Sinas, Regional Intelligence Division Chief Remus Medina and unidentified police officers of the PRO-7 allegedly impeded and disrupted the People Power Revolution anniversary mass action the cause-oriented groups were having by the use of a motor vehicle, its horns, and loud sound systems.

“Said disruption was made when by direct orders of respondents, the PRO-7 Headquarters played a loud sound system within 100 meters from the area of activity of the said public assembly and on the occasion thereof, which drowned the sound of the voice of the speaker amplified by the rallyists’ own portable sound system, thus, effectively interfering with and intentionally disturbing the holding of said public assembly,” read the complaint.

The protesters said they were offended when the regional office turned the music on while staging protest rallies and air their sentiments over the killings.

They are also asking the Ombudsman for the dismissal of these officials from the service, if the evidence warrants.

About 10 members of the cause-oriented groups are also facing criminal complaints for resistance and disobedience to a person in authority and damage to government properties after the camp’s boom barrier reportedly got destroyed during the protest rally. — GAN (FREEMAN)