Militant group head denies hurting Byron

Kadamay chairperson Winnie Badayos denied it was he who inflicted bruises on Capitol consultant Byron Garcia in a reported scuffle in last Monday's rally in front of the Capitol building. Badayos explained his group could not have possibly touched Byron because Byron had four security guards and two members of the civil service units with him.

In a press conference yesterday, he said that during their rally, Byron went out of the Capitol building with security guards and two CSU personnel and told them to stop what they are doing.

"Byron threw our flags and told us to stop, but we never touched him. Instead, he aimed a 9mm pistol at us and told us that if we step any further at the entrance, something will happen," Badayos alleged. He said that Byron allegedly punched him on the chest, but when some media personnel arrived, Byron went back inside of the Capitol building.

Badayos reasoned out they have the right to conduct a rally at the Capitol grounds as it is a public place and that it is where the President took her oath last July 2004.

"We are hoping that our sentiments would reach the President through Capitol as the place is very much important to her. It is where she took oath," he said.

Aside from calling for the ouster of President Arroyo, Kadamay also called on Governor Gwendolyn Garcia to step down for "coddling the wrong doings of his brother aside from being allegedly involved in the 2004 election fraud."

"She should have disciplined his brother and not coddle him for what he has done. What she is doing right now is an irresponsible act. It is a sign of being an irresponsible leader," Badayos said.

Meanwhile, the provincial government defended its setting up of a barricade in front of the Capitol building purposely to prevent anti-government protesters from using the grounds for their activity. Lawyer Pablo John Garcia said that the governor ordered the putting up of the barricades to protect Capitol properties from militant groups. Pablo John clarified that the provincial government does not prevent the anti-government protesters from holding rallies on the street.

However, the governor is duty bound to protect the properties of the province from possible destruction by the rallyists just like what happened in Malacañang sa Sugbo, he said. Pablo John added that they are trying to protect the Capitol building from any defacement because it will soon be declared as a historical and heritage site.

The governor prohibits anti-government rallies at the Capitol compound following a scuffle last Monday between her brother Byron and Badayos.

Badayos' group reportedly grabbed Byron when the latter approached them to prevent from advancing towards the Capitol building. Byron sustained injuries on his right arm during the incident. In fact, he has already filed charges before the prosecutors office against Badayos for slight physical injury.