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Wednesday, March 15, 2006
Cops set to arrest 8 militant leaders
By Ben O. Tesiorna
DAVAO CITY --- Eight militant leaders in Davao City faced arrest after being implicated as conspirators in rebellion and inciting to sedition charges filed against Bayan Muna Representative Joel Virador, said Ariel Casilao of Karapatan.
Casilao said they have been informed that a complaint was filed last Monday where they were charged of plotting to topple down the Arroyo government.
He admitted they are not sure if the police in Davao or in Metro Manila filed the complaint.
In the wake of this development, some 50 militant members from AnakPawis and Bayan Muna picketed the Davao City Police Office Tuesday morning to protest what they called the impending arrest of several local militant leaders by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG).
Among the local leaders who are to be arrested are Casilao, Luz Ilagan of Gabriela, Jeppie Ramada of Bayan Muna, Omar Bantayan of Kilusang Mayo Uno, Tonying Flores of Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas, Editha Duterte of Kadamay, Cora Espinosa of Samakana, and Lorie Ann Cascaro of AnakBayan youth sector.
Casilao said though there are no warrants of arrest issued against them, they are expecting authorities to effect a warrantless arrest just like what happened to Virador.
CIDG Regional Director Jose Pante denied knowing anything about the case supposedly filed against the militants.
Asked if the militant leaders plan to go into hiding or underground for fear of being arrested, Casilao said they have not and will not do such.
"We have no plans of going hiding. We will be here in our office. On Wednesday, we will have a press conference together with our lawyers," Casilao said.
Meanwhile, Bayan Muna slammed the Department of Justice's "dirty tricks" in last Monday's preliminary investigation. The group tagged President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo as the one responsible for delaying the resolution of the rebellion case against five legislators facing rebellion and inciting to sedition charges.
"We believe that the Arroyo government is using false witnesses to file trump up charges against progressive lawmakers and political opposition that would result to a 'national crackdown' on legitimate dissent," Ramada said.
"The DOJ's disrespect, blatant disregard for due process, patent bias, and prejudgment clearly demonstrate the Arroyo government's dogged bend to prosecute and criminalize the legal opposition to thwart, if not delay, the mounting movement to oust the Arroyo regime," he added.
Bayan Muna called on civil libertarians and the Church to act swiftly in the defense of civil liberties.
"We also ask our local government not to concede to pressure from Malacañang and to observe human rights and civil liberties," Ramada said. (Sun.Star Davao/Sunnex)
(March 15, 2006 issue)
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