Alarm, scandal raps filed vs 3 who heckled PNoy

CEBU, Philippines - Charges of alarm and scandal were filed by the police against three members of militant group Anakbayan who heckled President Benigno Aquino III more than a month ago when he delivered his speech in Iloilo City.

The Mandurriao Police Station filed the complaints against Bryan Bosque, Anakbayan’s vice president for Visayas, Chrisma Porquia, and a certain John Doe.

Chief Inspector Leah Rose Peña, Mandurriao police chief, said the case was filed at the Iloilo City Prosecution Office on July 8, but it was only recently that the three Anakbayan members received the subpoena.

Bosque however was unfazed by the charges and even vowed to do more protest actions against the curtailment of their rights, as Anakbayan also mulled filing counter charges against the police for illegal arrest.

With the threat of counter charges, Peña said the police are ready to face these at the proper forum. “I just hope that the public, while in the exercise of their civil right, know there is also a corresponding responsibility,” she said.

The protesters were provided with a venue for their rally during the Aquino visit, “but they went beyond the demarcation,” said Peña, adding that they even had no permit to stage the protest action.

Among the issues the group raised during the president’s visit were the privatization of the Metro Iloilo Water District, justice for extra-judicial killings, privatization of public market, demolition and relocation and the aids for the victims of typhoon Yolanda that were not received.

On June 27, Aquino spoke about the many infrastructure projects in Iloilo when he was heckled by three Anakbayan members, who jumped off from a passing passenger jeepney  and quickly sneaked their way through the crowd, momentarily evading the tight police security. They were immediately dispersed by anti-riot policemen. —(FREEMAN)