Police sue leaders of 'human barricade'

From the Sun Star-Davao (Jan 27): Police sue leaders of 'human barricade'

THE Montevista police confirmed that they filed last Friday charges against eight leaders of the "human barricade" along the highway between Monkayo and Montevista towns last January 15. But Senior Inspector Duane Francis Ducducan, chief of the Montevista Police Station, said in a phone interview that he cannot remember the names of the eight since he does not have the list on hand.

Ducducan said the eight were charged with unlawful appearance, public disturbance, and obstruction of traffic under the Revised Penal Code. He described the eight as those who were interviewed on television.

Among the progressive groups involved during the barricade were Barug Katawhan, Bayan Southern Mindanao Region, and Balsa Mindanao.

"Sagad sa gipang-interview sa TV na mga nagpasiugda sa barricade nga naa atong panghitabo mao ang gipasakaan ug kaso (All the organizers of the barricade who appeared on television were sued). I don't have their names here as of now, pero tua na sa fiscal ang record (but the complaint is now with the fiscal)," Ducducan said. They filed the complaint in Nabunturan.

Ducducan added they submitted their affidavit of complaint around 10 a.m. Friday for regular filing. "The decision is now with the fiscal. Samtang kami, naghulat mi ug uban complainants na gusto pud mupasaka ug kaso laban sa mga organizers (while we will wait for others who want to file a complaint against the barricade organizers)," Ducducan said.

Around 5,000 residents from Montevista, Pantukan, Monkayo, New Bataan, Maco, Mabini, New Corella, Mawab, Lupon and Mati set up the barricade to call for a stop to mining and illegal logging and equitable distribution of relief goods.

The group also demanded an end to piece-meal distribution of relief goods and, instead, called for ration that will tide them over for a longer period. The human barricade blocked vehicle traffic for more than eight hours.

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/davao/local-news/2013/01/27/police-sue-leaders-human-barricade-265107