8 arrested during anti-terror bill rally

CEBU, Philippines —  Eight protesters were arrested during a rally at the University of the Philippines in Cebu City against the controversial Anti-Terrorism Bill yesterday, June 5, 2020. 

The Police Regional Office (PRO) - 7 was quick to say that the arrest was not stifling the protesters’ freedom of expression but that the rallyists were arrested because they violated the rule against mass gatherings during the general community quarantine and because they did not have a permit to rally.

"They are basically endangering the people of Cebu because we are in a pandemic situation… we are not against the expression of mass protest if only on normal situation. Karon, di man normal, pandemic man ta," said PRO-7 Director Albert Ignatius Ferro.

Those arrested were identified as Jaime Paglinawan, Joahanna Veloso, Al Ingking, Bern Cañedo, April Dyan Gumanao, Clement Corominos, Janry Ubal, and Nar Porlas.

They are detained at the Cebu City Police Office and, as of yesterday, have not been charged formally, said their lawyer Jacob Lora. He said they were given food and water.

Lora said the eight did not sustain major injuries but were reportedly suffering from body pains as a result of the forceful arrest.

Paglinawan, a senior citizen, is head of the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN) in Central Visayas. He said the cops never told him what he was being arrested for.

"Pag-aresto man, sige ko pangutana unsa akong nalapas nga balaod… wala nitubag igo ra posasan, bunlot, gituok, gi-yak-an… natumba," Paglinawan told the press.

(When I was arrested, I asked what law I violated… there was no answer. I was handcuffed, pulled, choked, pinned down… I fell to the ground.)

Ferro, meanwhile, said that prior to the arrest, the ground commander warned the protesters three times to disperse but the rallyists did not listen. The protesters also allegedly assaulted the authorities.

"In fact, gitulak nila tung mga police nato kaya nagkaroon ng chase," Ferro said.

(In fact, they pushed the policemen, which triggered a chase.)

Ferro said the protesters may also be charged for disobedience to authority since they resisted the arrest.

Requirements

A video by The Freeman showed the police asking the rallyists to show quarantine permits and a permit to rally. The police also gave the protesters five minutes to wrap the demonstration up.

Veloso, one of those arrested, said the police advised them to stop only when the rally was already ongoing.

"If mao jud na ilang tumong and tuyo, dapat before pa lang daan sa protest, dapat gipangitaan nami nila’g ing-ana para ma-stop, pero ila mi gi-stop, in the middle na sa protest," she said.

(If that was what they wanted, they could have asked for the requirements even before we could start. They made us stop only when we were already rallying.)

She said each one of them had a quarantine pass.

Paglinawan said that they followed safety protocols and guidelines and made sure they wore masks and observed social distancing. His fellow Bayan Muna member, Juan Ruiz, also said they even reminded those they invited to join the rally to observe protocols.

"Essentially, nag-exercise ra man jud mi og freedom of expression. Wala man ju’y nalapas nga protocols ilabi na nga makita, bisan sa call to join the protest, gi-remind ang attendees. Nag follow ra sad og social distancing. Even then, militaristic gihapon ang approach sa state," reads a text message of Bayan Muna coordinator Juan Ruiz.

(Essentially, we were just exercising freedom of expression. We did not violate protocols and we even reminded those we invited to attend to follow the protocols. We observed social distancing. The militaristic approach of the state remains.)

“Gani, armado sila sa ilahang pag-ari ug paggukod og maayo sa protesters. Pag-inform nga mag-disperse, nanghangyo pa mi nga pahumanon lang ang program," he said.

(The police were armed when they went to the rally and when they ran after the protesters. When they told us to disperse, we even asked to just let the program finish.)

Up statements

Cañedo and Porlas are students of UP Cebu.

The school’s chancellor, Atty. Liza Corro, expressed her disappointment over the failure of the police to coordinate with the school, pointing out that the presence of the anti-riot police intensified the safety risks to the students and protestors.

Corro said coordination could have facilitated a “reasonable resolution” between the protestors and authorities.

"It is most unfortunate that what happened today, with the presence and action of the police anti-riot contingent, heightened rather than allayed the risks to the safety of the people involved,” reads Corro’s statement, which was released yesterday.

"As we gather more facts on the ground about the incident, we are coordinating with UP System officials on the legal and other important aspects of the matter, especially with respect to the 1989 UP-DND Peace Accord. In any case, we are deeply disappointed that none of the police officers tried to coordinate with UP Cebu in regard to handling the situation, which we hope could have led to a more sound and sensible resolution in light of prevailing restrictions under the general community quarantine," the statement reads further.  JMO (FREEMAN)