"Karapatan supports the move of the Manilakbayan ng Mindanao to file charges against members of the Philippine National Police led by P/ Supt. Pedro Sanchez of Police Station 2 of Quezon City for the violent dispersal of the protestors at Times St., Quezon City on November 29,” Cristina Palabay, Karapatan secretary general said.
"Karapatan supports the move of the Manilakbayan ng Mindanao to file charges against members of the Philippine National Police led by P/ Supt. Pedro Sanchez of Police Station 2 of Quezon City for the violent dispersal of the protestors at Times St., Quezon City on November 29,” Cristina Palabay, Karapatan secretary general said.
The Manilakbayan ng Mindanao is now preparing its legal documents and assistance to file a case on the violent dispersal, arbitrary arrest, physical assault, harassment and coercion done by the PNP-QCPD
Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas leader Antonio Flores was among those who negotiated with P/Supt. Sanchez to let the vehicles go but ended up arrested and detained for “being the leader of the group”.
"Flores was released on bail yesterday late afternoon after four days in jail, and after a lengthy and deliberately tortous process," Palabay said. Flores is charged with 13 counts of Direct Assault and Vandalism.
Based on the documentation of Karapatan Southern Mindanao region at least 15 individuals, including two media persons, were hurt during the dispersal. Of those injured, seven came from Southern Tagalog, seven from Southern Mindanao Region, two from CARAGA Region and one from the National Capital Region.
Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) Secretary-General Antonio “Ka Tonying” Flores, one of the leaders who negotiated with Sanchez, was arbitrarily arrested during the protest. He is still detained at Camp Karingal up to this writing.
Jay Apiag, spokesperson of KARAPATAN North Cotabato, collapsed when his collarbone was hit. to the East Avenue Medical Center.
The Manilakbayan contingent, with farmers from Hacienda Luisita and Southern Tagalog, peacefully addressed their concerns in front of the Aquino residence. They were about to leave the vicinity of Times St., when the police dispersed them.
At around 9:55 a.m., rallyists started their program at Times St. They were able to hold the program even with the presence of the police around the area. The protesters were about to leave the area when P/Supt. Sanchez arrived and ordered his men to disperse the protest. The police started kicking the Manilakbayan’s effigy.
The police pushed the protestors away using their truncheons and nightsticks. P/Supt. Sanchez climbed the mobile stage and hit Jayvee Apiag, who was the emcee of the program. The police also blocked the four vehicles of the protesters at the corner of West 6th St. and Times St.
"Manilakbayan was exercising their right to self-expression and asserting their rights to land and livelihood to the BS Aquino government. It was not vandalism. Injuries that the protestors sustained are unjustifiable ," Palabay said.
"It is P/Supt. Pedro Sanchez and his unit who should be charged with Direct Assault and serious physical injury, even torture," Palabay concluded. ###