Ebdane apologizes to Patriots for communist label

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Hermogenes Ebdane Jr. apologized yesterday to the election watchdog Patriots for linking it to an alleged communist destabilization plot against the Arroyo administration.

"Frankly, I am sorry for the issues that were raised against them," he told reporters after meeting with Patriot convenor Fr. Joe Dizon.

"The intention of the Patriots was never to be affiliated with the communists because they were affiliated with the different churches."

Ebdane said he and Dizon were able to come to a "common understanding and the same objective" and agreed to keep their communication lines open.

"Ang sabi nila they are a watchdog, and that they want to have a credible election," he said. "They want a proclamation regardless kung sino ang manalo."

Ebdane said the police would remain vigilant against any attempt by any militant or civic group to disrupt peace and order in the country through mass actions.

"If militant and civic groups, such as Patriots, would defy the law and hold rallies without getting the necessary permit, the PNP would be ready," he said.

"They have to conform with regulations. We treat everybody equally whether they are pro-administration or with the opposition. They would have to be dispersed, especially if they occupy the thoroughfares because it would create traffic disturbances."

Ebdane named Chief Superintendent Victor Luga, police community relations chief, as the PNP’s liaison with the Patriots.

The dialogue between Ebdane and Dizon was arranged by the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and the Employers’ Confederation of the Philippines.

In a letter, Patriots demanded yesterday an apology from Ebdane for the PNP’s "baseless" accusations that it had been commissioned by the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) to carry out a destabilization plot known as Oplan Aklas-Bayan.

Police also accused Patriots of paying people between P200 to P800 to take part in prayer vigils and protest actions.

Patriots asked Ebdane and intelligence head Director Robert Delfin to present evidence that it is part of the alleged anti-government plot.

"We are dismayed that the PNP would release such irresponsible statements against an organization of bishops, priests, pastors, health professionals, civic leaders, government employees, and teachers that seeks simply to ensure the right of the Filipino people to peaceful, democratic and credible elections," read the letter.

Patriots said the PNP must account for its irresponsible accusations that the group is part of an "unholy alliance" of the right and left to prevent the proclamation of President Arroyo.

"We demand that Director General Hermogenes Edbane Jr. and intelligence (chief) Director Robert Delfin issue a formal apology to Patriots," read the letter.

Patriots said documented cases of electoral fraud and violence should not be accepted as a given in our political life.

"Such statements demean our integrity as a nation and a people," read the letter.

"Every life that was uselessly lost, every vote that was denied, every incident of fraud that happened should be addressed; and the victims and their families must be rendered justice."

Patriots said the PNP was targeting the group because it had proven to be a sincere, credible election watchdog that had exposed incidents of fraud and violence in the elections without any partisan motive.

"Patriots has shown itself willing to listen to the concerns of the political opposition regarding incidents of fraud," read the letter.

The letter was signed by Caloocan Bishop Deogracias Iñiguez, Jr., Rev. Marie Sol Villalon of the United Methodist Church, Bishop Elmer Bolocon of the United Church of Christ in the Philippines, Ms. Sharon Rose Joy Ruiz-Duremdes of the National Council of Churches in the Philippines, Fr. Vicente Cajilig, OP of the Contextualized Theology and Ethics at the University of Santo Tomas, Antonio Tinio of the Alliance of Concerned Teachers, Elmer Collong of the Alliance of Health Workers, Fr. Joe Dizon of Kairos Philippines, Eleanor Nolasco of the Kilos Bayan para sa Kalusugan, Benjamin Valbuena of the Manila Public School Teachers’ Association, Inc. and Ferdinand Gaite of COURAGE.

Patriots was organized on Feb. 9 after a multisectoral forum on the socio-economic context of the May 2004 elections. — With James Mananghaya, Benjie Villa