Activists to File Case at CHR for Police Violence During GMA Visit

NAGA CITY - Militants here have assailed the Philippine National Police (PNP) for the violent encounter between protesters and plainclothes and uniformed police officers during the visit of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo last April 20.

The president was in Naga to grace the opening of the annual Private Association of Schools Athletic Association (PRISAA).

According to Vince Casilihan of Karapatan, Bikol chapter, a small group of youth protesters were on their way to Plaza Quince Martires, a designated freedom park, for a protest rally when they were confronted by plainclothes policemen who tried to grab and confiscate their streamers. A brawl followed soon after.

He says that there are plans to file cases of human rights violations against the policemen believed to be involved.

The group was composed of Kabataang Pinoy partylist members aged 17 to 20.

In an interview, one of the protesters said that they were about to cross the road to the plaza when a group of six to eight men suddenly grabbed the streamers they were preparing to unfold. A tug of war then ensued which quickly escalated into a violent confrontation when one of the policemen, believed to be P/S Supt. Edwin Nemenzo, the Naga City Police District Director, ordered uniformed police officers to arrest the protesters.

The protester refused to be identified for fear of retaliation from the policemen involved.

She added that the police officers backed off only when one of the protesters shouted, "Harassment!" several times. Several of the protesters were hurt in the melee that followed, suffering abrasions and lacerations, according to the medical certificate issued at the Bicol Medical Center after the incident. Among the injured were Joseph Adrian Concepcion, 18, editor in chief of The Pillars, Ateneo de Naga University's student publication, Paul Angelo de los Reyes, 19, Gerard Surtida, 20, spokesperson of Tindog Atenista, and James Michael Hernandez.

The informant also said that she saw some of the policemen punch the activists when they refused to surrender their streamers and banners.

In the ensuing confusion, the police officers forced two of the protesters into a waiting squad car before driving off to the central police station. One of the youth detained was Concepcion. He is also the regional coordinator for the College Editors Guild of the Philippines (CEGP).

Fellow activists proceeded to the police station after the protest rally. The informant said that while they were waiting news of their colleagues, a plainclothes policeman stealthily took pictures of them. They were also barred from leaving the compound by some of the police officers for unknown reasons until one of the senior police officers ordered that they be allowed.

The detained activists were released with no formal charges later that day after discussions with a lawyer from Karapatan.

Casilihan said that the incident has resulted in several human rights violations. "It is the right of the people to air their grievances against the government. This is clearly police brutality. This is a blatant violation of human rights."

He added that the police should be "re-educated" regarding human rights and proper police procedures. "The police must be re-educated about the right processes and attitude towards protesters. They are supposed to protect the rights of the people, not violate them."

The Karapatan leader maintains that the activists did nothing wrong and that they were illegally arrested and detained. "There were no verbal warnings. They (the activists) were not even protesting yet. The police even shouted at the protesters during the rally".

In response, the local government of Naga will hold a special inquiry into the incident. The issue is to be discussed at the next regular session of the city council on May 5.