Human rights watchdog Karapatan yesterday slammed the Aquino administration for what it claimed was the illegal arrest and detention of 18 activists, one of them an officer of the organization, who staged protests during the 117th celebration of Independence Day in Iloilo City and Kawit, Cavite, last Friday.
“The illegal arrest and detention of at least 18 activists and the violent dispersal of peaceful protesters during the June 12 Independence Day activities illustrate the gross violations of the right to free speech and assembly under the Aquino administration,” said Cristina Palabay, Karapatan secretary general.
In Iloilo City, five activists were arrested by the Philippine National Police (PNP) as President Aquino led the Independence Day celebration at the Old Iloilo Provincial Capitol Building.
The activists rallied to call attention to the absence of genuine independence, citing “unhampered plunder and military aggression of the US in the Philippines through neoliberal economic policies and the US-PH Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement as among the reasons.”
Reylan Vergara, Karapatan-Panay secretary general, was among those arrested. Also nabbed were Alfonso Geonago and Ceasar Lope Espadeniado of Pamanggas, a peasant organization, Marlon dela Cruz of Kadamay, and Ann Marie Primalion of Bayan Panay.
Reported injured were Angel de Francisca of St. Paul’s Theological Seminary, sustained cuts in the head and right eyebrow, while Bryan Bosque, Anakbayan Panay spokesperson, suffered a cut in the hand.
MANILA BULLETIN
