Robredo: Cops’ treatment of jailed activist ‘overkill’

MANILA, Philippines — Vice President Leni Robredo yesterday slammed the authorities’ handling of the funeral of detained activist Reina Mae Nasino’s three-month-old baby, describing the incident as an “overkill.”

In handcuffs and under heavy guard, Nasino attended baby River’s burial at the Manila North Cemetery on Friday.

“For me it’s an overkill,” Robredo said in her weekly radio program.

Nearly 100 police officers, some in full battle gear, and around 50 personnel of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) were at the funeral.

Robredo described the scenes at the funeral as “heartbreaking.”

“We saw the pictures, we saw the footage. We don’t know why the response (of the authorities) was that much,” Robredo said. “Where is our compassion, humanity?”

The Vice President also denounced the unfair treatment of Nasino by a Manila court, which denied her petition to take care of her sick child.

“She was not given the chance to take care of her child while several personalities were granted privileges, even those convicted remain free,” Robredo said.

River died on Oct. 9 at the Fabella Hospital in Manila.

Philippine National Police spokesman Col. Ysmael Yu earlier defended the police presence at the funeral.

Chief Insp. Xavier Solda, spokesman for the BJMP, has said they imposed strict security measures because Nasino is a “high-risk” detainee.

Nasino, a Kadamay coordinator, was among the three activists arrested during a police raid in November last year for alleged possession of firearms and explosives.