State security checkpoints sow fear on mourners of Escanilla burial

From the often pro-CPP Bicol Today (Aug 28): State security checkpoints sow fear on mourners of Escanilla burial



Hundreds of supporters, family friends pay last respect to slain human rights journalist Teodoro ‘Ka Tudoy’ Escanilla during funeral rites in Barcelona, Sorsogon. BICOLTODAY.COM PHOTO

State security forces in Sorsogon Province were under state of paranoia of unexplained and imaginary fear Wednesday during the burial of slain human rights journalist Teodoro “Tudoy” Escanilla.

For reasons only known to them, several checkpoints were set-up along the highways to inspect vehicles and passengers.

As Escanilla was being laid to rest Wednesday, police and Army units set-up several checkpoints that sow fear in mourners from proceeding to the church and cemetery for the final burial rites.

Battle-ready policemen set-up 6 checkpoints along the highway from Barcelona, Sorsogon to Albay province.

Checkpoints were also positioned at highway chokepoint areas at Irosin, Casiguran and Juban towns.

Human rights activists from Albay, Masbate, Camarines Sur and Camarines Norte, joined the funeral march while many others, on their way early Wednesday morning, were forced to turn back in fear upon seeing the hostile checkpoints,

Sorsogon Province in past months has been rocked by series of State-sanctioned killings of civilians tagged as involved in rebel activities. Escanilla was shot dead Wednesday midnight last week by gunmen suspected as belonging to State security forces. (See related article)

Human rights groups led by KARAPATAN vowed to press hard on the Aquino administration to surrender the perpetrators to face justice.

International human rights and media groups have looked with special concern over the killing of the human rights journalist who was an old man at age of 63.



Hundreds of supporters, family friends pay last respect to slain human rights journalist Teodoro ‘Ka Tudoy’ Escanilla during funeral rites in Barcelona, Sorsogon. BICOLTODAY.COM PHOTO



Hundreds of supporters, family friends pay last respect to slain human rights journalist Teodoro ‘Ka Tudoy’ Escanilla during funeral rites in Barcelona, Sorsogon. BICOLTODAY.COM PHOTO

http://bicoltoday.com/2015/08/27/state-security-checkpoints-sow-fear-on-mourners-of-escanilla-burial/