House inquiry on SWAT raid of radio station scheduled

ILOILO CITY, Philippines - The House of Representatives' committee on public order and safety will be conducting an inquiry over the reported raid of Aksyon Radio-Iloilo station by the City Police's SWAT operatives last September 30.

House Resolution No. 237, sponsored by Rep. Fredenil Castro (4th district, Negros Occidental), called for an inquiry, in aid of legislation, on the alleged excessive use of force and unreasonable assault used by the SWAT against the radio station.

Rep. Jeffrey Ferrer (4th dist., Negros Occ), chair of the committee, will preside the inquiry that will be attended by Chief Supt. Carmelo Valmoria, head of the Manila-based PNP's Special Action Force, Regional Office- 6 director Chief Supt. Agrimero Cruz, Iloilo City Police Office director Sr. Supt. Ruperto Floro Jr. and Aksyon Radyo-Iloilo station manager John Paul Tia.

Governor Arthur Defensor, Sr. has already approved Ferrer's request in using the conference room of the Iloilo Capitol for the congressional inquiry.

Last Wednesday, the radio station management, through its lawyer Eldrid Antiquera, filed at the Ombudsman-Visayas administrative and criminal charges against the seven SWAT members.

The seven, PO1s Michael Binobo, Ravelo Acosta, Christopher Castañeda, Rene Diane, Melvin Deypalubos, El Abastillas and Johven Mark Causing, are accused of grave coercion, grave threats, violation of domicile, Republic Act 9262, also known as violence against women, and R.A. 3019 or Anti-graft and Corrupt Practices Act.

The filing of charges came after the SWAT members, after receiving information that a group of armed men entered the radio station, raided the place and allegedly harassed seven station personnel.

The armed men were reportedly involved in a commotion at the nearby night bar along Smallville area that left five youngsters wounded. Later, these wounded youngsters turned out to be the victims themselves who sought help from the radio station.

Antiquera said the station management preferred to file all the charges before the Ombudsman because it is an independent body that could investigate the case, considering that the suspects involved were members of the Philippine National Police. (FREEMAN)