QC cops face raps over dispersal at PNoy's home

MANILA, Philippines - Activists from Southern Tagalog and Mindanao have filed a complaint against police officers before the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) for the violent dispersal of protesters during the November 29 rally in front of President Benigno Aquino III's house in Quezon City. 

Led by peasant leader Antonio Flores, activists and delegates of the Manilakbayan ng Mindanao filed a complaint against officials and members of the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) in connection with the violent dispersal of protesters last  Nov. 29

The complainants said that the more than 200 peasants and Lumad from Mindanao, along with Hacienda Luisita farmw orkers supporting them, held a peaceful march and a two-hour program in front of the Aquino residence. 

A tribal ritual was performed to dramatize the Mindanaoan’s disappointment on the president whom they claimed has been oblivious of their demand for justice on the killings of land rights and indigenous people’s rights activists.

They said that policemen illegally arrested Flores and detained him for four days on charges of direct assault and vandalism. 

Some of the protesters claimed they were hit by batons by policemen during the commotion. 

The complainants alleged that at least 17 QCPD policemen violated their constitutional rights and the United Nations International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

Rights group Karapatan and the National Union of People’s Lawyers assisted the victims in filing the complaint.