Tuesday, October 07, 2008 Medina suggests ‘lawyer-to-lawyer’ talk for streamers rift
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- This city’s chief of police suggested the other day to contending parties to let their respective lawyers find the most amicable and peaceful settlement regarding the raging war on the legality of protest streamers installed at the controversial Arnedo “freedom” Park.
Police Superintendent Benjamin Medina, who arrived at 4 p.m. in the area clad in a matching red basketball jersey to check on the situation at the park, told both leaders of the protesting Biyaya A Luluguran At Sisikapan (Balas) and the Capitol’s civil security group and General Services Office to let their respective lawyers discuss the legal aspects of their claims and arrive at a lawful resolution to their dispute.
Earlier that day, the Balas boys and the Capitol men figured in two clashes over the dismantling and confiscation of their protest streamers reinstalled at the area near the flagpole on Tuesday.
Monday's new order to have the allegedly defamatory and derogatory signs came from Provincial Administrator Vivian Dabu.
The protesters have strengthened their “guard” on the streamers and posters following Thursday’s ripping incident, where two of four allegedly “paid” suspects were apprehended after ripping off seven streamers valued at P14,000. The Balas boys have filed raps of malicious mischief and unjust vexation against the suspects before the City Prosecutor’s Office.
The protesters claimed that their picket and their streamers are legal because Arnedo Park is a legal park as provided for by Provincial Board (PB) Resolution 1338 and Batas Pambansa (BP) 880. On the other hand, the Capitol men insist that the resolution is invalid and that the capitol has the due jurisdiction on the park and control of all activities being held there.
Former Balas leader Edu de Leon and Alex Pineda told the police chief they are willing to dismantle their streamers and posters and vacate the premises of the park once they are served a proper court order by Capitol executives.
On the other hand, civil security group head Eddie Cabiling said the resolution of the PB is invalid and they are following orders of higher-ups based on this premise.
After listening to both camps, Medina advised the groups to “cool off” and stay on “status quo” on their disputes.
“What I see here is an issue of legality. What you need here are your own lawyers. The best solution is to leave it to the courts to decide or have it discussed between lawyers,” Medina said.
Medina added that for both parties to end these “atrocities,” Capitol should give the Balas boys what they want and the Balas boys should give in turn what Capitol wants.
“This, I think is the best solution to this problem,” the level headed Medina said.
To recall, Medina was instrumental in keeping order at the park when he, instead of dispersal, offered a dialogue with the protesters during the first night of their protest last August 7.
He similarly listened to the protesters and the Capitol executives before he stated that he “would not disperse the protesters at the Arnedo Park.”
Medina, the other day, asked the ground commander assisting both camps to disarm the men to prevent any untoward incidents. Sun.Star Pampanga earlier noticed that the clips and magazines containing live ammunition of the police officers there have conspicuously been removed by them.
Medina also assured the protesters and the Capitol personnel that his men would stay and secure the park from any elements who may take advantage of the tense situation. (JTD)
