For ‘harassing student activists’: Anakbayan files plaint against police, military

CEBU, Philippines - Militant group Anakbayan lodged a complaint yesterday before the Commission on Human Rights against police and military officers for allegedly harassing youth activists during its protest in one of the Asia-Pacific Economic Summit meetings in Cebu.

However, the CHR investigator advised the group to return on Tuesday to submit the affidavits of the students who were allegedly harassed before they can start the investigation.

Niño Olayvar, Anakbayan vice president for Visayas, filed a formal complaint on behalf of the student leaders and youth activists who allegedly experienced surveillance and harassment from the members of the Philippine National Police and the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

This reportedly happened on the first week of September when they staged a series of protests on the APEC agenda on education, trade and investment and its negative impacts on the Philippines.

The group claimed that some people allegedly went to the house of their student members or approached them randomly.  They further alleged that the police approached school administrations to discourage them from letting their students join rallies and protests against APEC.

In a letter complaint addressed to CHR regional director Alejandro Alonzo, Olayvar prayed that the commission shall uphold the human rights and liberties of the people.

Dennis Abarientos of Karapatan-Central Visayas also said they asked the commission to primarily conduct an investigation into the matter and help in the identification of the respondents.

“Kay naa man sila power to request the PNP and AFP nga mag-form og police line-up para ma-identify sa mga students kinsa nga mga agents ang na-involve sa alleged harassment. In the course of investigation, CHR can do that. Mao pud ang hangyo nato sa ila,” he said.

Dr. Oliver Gimenez of the Community Empowerment Resource Network, Inc. also filed a complaint for alleged harassment and surveillance by elements of the Military Intelligence Group headed by a certain Alex Gabo and Ronnie Gallego.

“In a way, this has greatly affected my daily routines, and caused unnecessary worries and apprehensions on my part in relation to my security,” Gimenez said in his complaint.

CHR-7 investigator Leo Villarino, who received the complaints filed by Olayvar and Gimenez, advised the parties to come back on Tuesday to attach the formal statements of their members to provide them the details of the alleged harassment.

After the submission of the affidavits and the gathering of evidence, Villarino said they will ask the respondents to submit their answers to the allegations.

“Atong tan-awon base sa ilang tubag kon duna’y basis atong complainants sa ilang reklamo,” he said.

Villarino emphasized that the investigation of the CHR is independent and will be conducted on the basis of the alleged violation committed.

“It should also be stressed that we are not hired as lawyers of the complainants and much as to also the respondents.

Olayvar said they are still preparing the affidavits of five student members from the University of San Carlos and Cebu Normal University and will return to CHR on Tuesday as told.

According to Olayvar, the student members were not able to join them in filing the complaint since they had classes yesterday. — Grace Melanie I. Lacamiento/NSA