The PNP slogan, “to serve and protect” is a mockery

Reference: Vince Casilihan, Spokesperson 
KARAPATAN-BIKOL

Karapatan-Bicol condemns in the strongest terms possible the warrantless and illegal arrest of Paul Vincent Casilihan, Karapatan-Bicol Spokesperson, Atty. Bart Rayco, Chairman of ALECO multi-sectoral Stakeholders’ Organization (AMSSO) and a member of National Union of People’s Lawyers (NUPL-Bicol), Hernan  Certeza of KMU-Bicol, and Karl Anthony Canata of  Youth Act Now    at around 1:45 PM of February 24, 2014 by  more or less thirty (30) PNP elements on order of P/Supt.  Rommel De La Rama, Legazpi City PNP Chief of Police.  

The arrest was made while Albay Electric Cooperative (ALECO) member-consumers and the multi-sectoral groups were inside ALECO compound  protesting the continued presence of San Miguel Corporation Global Power Holdings, Inc.,   a concessionaire for ALECO’s operations and management whose concession contract  with the old ALECO Interim Board  of Directors was  deceitful and invalid; and to invoke, defend and protect  the member-consumers’ collective  rights and interest as  the real owners of the electric cooperative.  

The arresting officers committed blatant violations of the rights of those arrested.  At the time of arrest the arresting officers did not properly and formally informed the victims of the alleged crime imputed to them, neither were they informed of their rights under the Miranda doctrine.

Moreover, the arresting officers manhandled Hernan  Certeza and Karl  Anthony Canata. The two sustained bruises in some parts of their bodies.   Atty. Madonna Gay Escio, who came for quick response to the arrest was shoved by arresting officers and   complains of pains at her left arm.

The highhandedness in the conduct of arrest and the brutality demonstrated by the arresting officers only shows the fascist character of PNP elements.  Such a display of force and arrogance by uniformed state security forces against unarmed civilians peacefully exercising their democratic rights   clearly proves that their respect for human rights is nothing but mere lip service.

For several hours after the arrest,  the victims were held at the PNP Legazpi headquarters without formal charges yet.   They were made to wait for the inquest fiscal to come.  No effort was made by the PNP Legazpi to facilitate the conduct of the necessary inquest.

Karl Anthony, a 17 years old student was brought by the PNP elements  to the City  Social Welfare and Development (CSWD) of Legazpi City.   When friends and the grandmother of Karl inquired of him in this office, those in the CSWD vehemently denied having him in their custody.  But when pressed further, they said they were told by PNP Legazpi not to confirm having custody of the student should somebody inquire about him.  The conspiracy by these two public institutions in withholding information is very deplorable.

Karapatan-Bicol denounces the lies and half truth  weaved by   Albay Power Energy Corporation  (APEC), the entity that manages ALECO for San Miguel Corporation Global Power Holdings, Inc., which the PNP Legazpi used in filing the trumped-up cases against the four victims of illegal arrest.  

It is very appalling that the incident of illegal arrest happened in the occasion of the 29^th anniversary of EDSA people power.   The fascism of martial law years  is very much alive even today in the   State security forces.  

The  PNP slogan,  “to serve and protect”  is a mockery.  It serves and protects the interest of the few who are rich and powerful but violates the democratic rights of ordinary citizens.