|
Tuesday, January 23, 2007
Senators hit justice chief over Iloilo siege
MANILA -- Senators on Monday blamed Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez Sr. for the police assault on the Iloilo Provincial Capitol.
In a privilege speech, Senator Franklin Drilon said the assault "was another example of the Arroyo administration's widely known callousness and complete disregard for human rights."
Sun.Star Network Online's Sinulog Festival Coverage
Post your Sinulog greetings
Drilon said it is very disappointing to note that the justice secretary even praised and commended the assault team that broke glass windows and panels at the Iloilo Capitol and pointed high-powered firearms at the sons and supporters of Governor Niel Tupas Sr.
"I share the sentiments of millions of our countrymen who are profoundly alarmed by the violence and brutality of our very own police force," he said.
"Adding insult to injury, the justice secretary even claimed that the assault was all a charade and not a raid. This was an assault on Filipino sensibilities," Drilon added.
The excessive show of force, which was documented by television cameras, only showed that the present administration has "an utter disrespect for the rule of law."
"God knows to what extent the incredible tandem of Secretary Gonzalez and Interior and Local Government Secretary Ronaldo Puno would go to help their boss stay in power," he said.
Gonzalez, according to Drilon, has been involved in various political harassments against Tupas.
The senator urged President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to pray for wisdom in order for her to see the deception of the people who surround her.
Senator Alfredo Lim described the assault on the Iloilo Provincial Capitol as "a terrorist act against true democracy."
Lim said the police officers sowed terror when they moved in on the Capitol in a battle-like fashion. He said the Senate should investigate the case to know who are those behind the move to oust Tupas.
Tupas said he will support the Senate investigation to identify the people responsible for the blatant display of police brutality and excessive force at the Iloilo Provincial Capitol.
He also appealed to the Office of the Ombudsman, Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), PNP, and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to listen to their conscience and to the voice of democracy and not to allow themselves to be used by what he described as the unscrupulous minions of the Arroyo administration.
Senators Anna Consuelo "Jamby" Madrigal, Jose "Jinggoy" Estrada, Francis Pangilinan, and Richard Gordon said they will support the Senate investigation on the issue in order to put a stop to future abuse by government authorities, especially that election time is near and that various political harassment acts might be used by the Arroyo administration to favor their political allies. (CPB/Sunnex)
For more Philippine news, visit Sun.Star Cebu. (January 23, 2007 issue)
Write letter to the editor. Click here.
Join the Sun.Star message board. Click here. |
|
|
|
[return to top]
[home]
|
|
Cebu's target for Sinulog, the world