Manila Today
#PulisAngTerorista made rounds again on Twitter after various police-related controversies surged this month.
In fact, yesterday, Philippine National Police (PNP) Quezon City held a press conference following viral footage of dismissed cop Wilfredo de Joya Gonzales who assaulted a cyclist by slapping, cursing, and then cocking a firearm in Welcome Rotonda in Quezon City.
Accordingly, the incident transpired on August 8. If not for the viral footage, the press conference would not have been held and Gonzales could still carry his firearms despite the incident.
Earlier this morning, PNP QC revoked the gun license of Gonzales. Such an action made twenty days prior to the incident given the documented footage.
This August, various rights groups assailed against law enforcement operations including direct intimidation, harassment, killings, and abduction.
Killings
- On August 2, 17-year-old Jherode Jemboy Baltazar was slain by Navotas cops after being mistakenly identified as the suspect they were pursuing. The cops fired at Jemboy who was accompanied by his friend while boarding a boat. After the incident, the cops barred the family as soon as they were informed of Jemboy’s death, leaving the body drenched in water for more than three hours.
- On August 20, 15-year-old John Frances Ompad was shot by Police Corporal Arnulfo Sabillo in Rodriguez, Rizal. Accordingly, the cops attempted to flag John Ace, John Frances’ brother who is also a 19-year-old, while on his way home. John Ace meanwhile resisted. As soon as he arrived home, John Ace took off his helmet and threw it against Sabillo, the cops drew a firearm and aimed towards John Ace but the shot was directed at John Frances who happened to be outside the house.
Arrest
- On August 2, Jose Rizal Pajares, reporter of Radyo Natin was arrested by Iriga cops for allegedly violating Data Privacy Act. According to National Union of Journalists of the Philippines, Pajares was arrested without warrant over alleged violation. He was detained for three days and was released on Aug. 4 after posting bail amounting to P10,000. Under the Data Privacy Act, the law is not applicable to personal information processed for the purpose of journalism.
Abduction
- On August 24, multi-cab driver Jose Escobio had been abducted by Batangas Provincial Police. According to Tanggol Batangan, a rights group based in Batangas, there had been a commotion at Brgy. Puting Buhangin in San Juan where the police arrested three individuals. According to Escobia’s wife, he was providing a service trip from San Juan to Lipa that day. The wife was alarmed after not being able to contact Escobio at around 5AM.
Harassment, intimidation
- On August 6, armed individuals fired several times outside the house of peasant leader Alvin Dimarucut in Tarlac. According to Malayang Samahan ng mga Magsasaka sa Tinang (Makisama-Tinang), individuals riding a motorcycle encircled the house and later stopped at the gate. Given this incident, Dimarucut filed a blotter case at the police station. This is the fourth time that they have reported incidents of attacks on the members of Makisama-Tinang and its leaders.
- On August 16, student leader delegates from different campuses of the University of the Philippines for the 55th General Assembly of Student Councils were harassed by cops barring their protest launched in Davao City Freedom Park. Accordingly, the police threatened to arrest eight jeeps that were hired by the protesters and alleged of not having a permit alongside violating the parking line rules. Two delegates suffered minor injuries after asserting their right to protest.
- On August 22, four men were seen roaming within the dormitory of Student Regent 2nd Nominee and former editor-in-chief of Himati, the official student publication of UP Mindanao, Red Masacupan. According to Himati, Masacupan received a note affirming her being surveilled by intelligence forces. The letter reads: “Masacupan, Komunista! Nakamasid kami sa iyo at sa mga kasama mo.”
- On August 23, Max Santiago and three others received subpoena after Quezon City cops allegedl them for violating the Clean Air Act. The complaint is related to the effigy burning during the People’s State of the Nation Address last July 24.
- On August 24, on at least four instances since August 9, six suspicious individuals were reportedly asking for the whereabouts of Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas chairperson Dailo Ramos. A roadside CCTV caught on camera one of the men who were conducting surveillance activities on Ramos.
- On August 24, 14 Southern Tagalog-based activists were charged for allegedly violating Batas Pambansa 880 or the Public Assembly Act of 1985 while participating in the protest action for People’s State of the Nation Address last July 24.
Netizens urge for accountability
On the other hand, netizens were quick to lambast the rampant police-instigated attacks against progressives and even ordinary citizens.
NUJP chairman Jonathan de Santos also tweeted following the incident. De Santos was previously red-tagged by Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI) anchor Jeffrey “Ka Eric” Celiz’s claiming that he is “active in the underground operations” of the Communist Party of the Philippines – New People’s Army – National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF).
During the press conference, police director Brig. Gen. Nicolas Torre III said Gonzales is not facing any cases as there is no complaint filed against him. He added that he has also called on the cyclist to join them at the press conference.
Meanwhile, lawyer Raymond Fortun posted screenshots of exchanged messages between him and the cyclist whom he named AB for security purposes. According to his post entitled Justice is not Dead, he noted the cyclist was forced to sign an agreement under duress and even paid P500 to the scratched vehicle of the ex-cop.
“Below is my last text conversation with AB. Inaalala nya ang kalagayan ng pamilya nya. Natatakot sya na mapatay sya ng mga pulis na magpapanggap na “riding in tandem” na mga killer,” Atty. Fortun said in his post.
He noted that there can be no criminal case without the cooperation of the victim, but that does not mean that the public would be left helpless.
Given the virality of the footage, Gonzales said during the press conference that he and the cyclist had already settled the issue. He also reminded social media users to be responsible for what they post online.
However, according to Atty. Fortun, the individual who documented the footage was subjected to intimidation that netizens could no longer see the viral video on its channel.
Meanwhile, Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte issued a statement urging the cyclist to come out and coordinate with the city government in filing necessary cases.
“We are appealing to the complainant to come forward so that Willy Gonzalez, whom I consider a menace to society, is held accountable. We want to assure the cyclist that we will extend legal assistance, as well as put him and his family in our protection, so that justice is served. I will not allow this case to be whitewashed. Maaaring natatakot ang biktima na humarap dahil ang nakatapat niya ay taga-gobyerno. Nais nating bigyang-diin na walang puwang ang karahasan sa ating lungsod,” she said.
