Bayan Muna calls for halt on government harassment, attacks vs. progressive party-lists : QC IMC

“We call on the Macapagal-Arroyo government to immediately put a stop to the sustained and intensifying series of harassment and attacks not only against our party but those of other progressive party-list groups as well,” said Bayan Muna representative Satur Ocampo,

“Evidente’s detention came in the wake of blatant attacks against members of progressive party-list groups. Last April 18, a caravan of Bayan Muna, Anak ng Bayan, Suara Bangsamoro, Anakpawis, Migrante and Gabriela Women’s Party was blocked by soldiers in Camarines Sur near the 42nd IB’s headquarters. The troops opened fire at the lead truck and hit some of the participants. Earlier, a 61-member fact-finding team in Mindoro, which included members of Bayan Muna and Anakpawis, was virtually hostaged by soldiers of the 204th IB,” he said.

Ocampo added, “Even the Armed Forces of the Philippines is engaging in partisan politics through fora that tackle the CPP and so-called red party-list groups that are allegedly supporting it. This is a new, dangerous twist to the military’s sustained offensives against my party, 37 members of whom have already been slain. The President as commander-in-chief should stop the AFP from engaging in partisan political activities that have grave implications on the life of members of progressive party-list groups.”

“Evidente’s arrest and detention is clearly part of a grand demolition job by certain quarters which are moving heaven and earth to frustrate the entry of militant party-list groups in Congress. Surveys have consistently shown that Anak ng Bayan has been faring well and in fact are next to our party in ranking,” he said.

According to initial reports by Anak ng Bayan-Dumaguete City , at around 4:00 p.m. yesterday, two arresting officers in plainclothes seized Evidente while the latter was on his way to an office in Dumaguete City. Arresting officers PO1 Alberto Belingan and PO1 Alfonso Enriquez did not read Evidente’s constitutional rights but instead immediately handcuffed the latter.

The officers presented a warrant of arrest for murder issued by a certain Judge Rogeciano Rivera of the Sta. Catalina Municipal Trial Court dated March 4, 2004. The warrant did not mention who Evidente, along with several others, allegedly murdered. Evidente has no knowledge of the identities of any of his co-accused. He likewise never received a summon from the prosecutors’ office for a preliminary investigation.

Evidente is currently detained at Cell 3 of the Philippine National Police in Dumaguete City. Murder is a non-bailable offense.#