From the Philippine News Agency (Oct 20): House probe on violent dispersal outside US embassy sought
The Makabayan bloc in the House of Representatives on Thursday sought a legislative inquiry on the violent dispersal of protesters, including indigenous peoples, in front of the United States Embassy in Manila on Wednesday.
In House Resolution 487, the seven-member bloc also urged the lower chamber to condemn the violent dispersal as it infringes on people’s rights to peaceably assemble and air their grievances.
The lawmakers noted in the resolution that the demonstrators were dispersed violently under the orders of Sr. Supt. Marcelino Pedrozo, deputy director for operations of the Manila Police District.
”What was more revolting, however, was the use of a police mobile car like a battering ram that repeatedly ran over the protesters, thus, resulting to more serious injuries on several people, including women,” the resolution read.
The lawmakers identified PO3 Franklin Kho as the one who reportedly drove the police van that rammed through the protesting crowd.
According to the resolution, 11 protesters were injured and hospitalized after the vehicle incident.
The Makabayan bloc is composed of Bayan Muna Partylist Rep. Carlos Zarate, ACT Teachers Partylist Reps. Antonio Tinio and France Castro, Gabriela Partylist Reps. Emmi de Jesus and Arlene Brosas, Anakpawis Partylist Rep. Ariel Casilao, and Kabataan Partylist Rep. Sarah Elago.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=933044
The Makabayan bloc in the Philippine House of Representatives is a group of legislators/members of known Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) political fronts,
ReplyDeleteMakabayang Koalisyon ng Mamamayan (Makabayan) was founded on April 16, 2009. It is a political coalition that is presently comprised of some 12 Philippine progressive parties: Bayan Muna, Anakpawis, Gabriela, Kabataan, Courage, Migrante, ACT-Teachers, Katribu, Akap Bata, Piston, Kalikasan and Aking Bikolnon. The national council also includes personages in the field of arts, governance, mass media and people’s organizations.
The list of key members posted to the Makabayan Website reads like a Who's Who of CPP activists/front organizations and include the following:
National Officers
Co-Chairperson
- Rafael Mariano and Liza Maza
Vice-Chairperson
- Roseller Barinaga
President
- Satur Ocampo
Vice President
- Teddy Casino
Vice President for Luzon
- Beverly Longid
Vice President for Visayas
- Siegfred Deduro
Vice President for Mindanao
- Athel Hijos
Secretary General
- Nathanael Santiago
Deputy Secretary General
- Robert de Castro
Treasurer
- Perla Abunda
Auditor
- Yvonne Luna
Director for Organization
- Lutgardo Jurcales
Director for Political Relations
- Grace Saguinsin-Trinidad
10 Regional representatives
11 Party-list representatives
Ex Officio
- Rep. Neri Colmenares, Bayan Muna
- Rep. Luzviminda Ilagan, Gabriela Womens Party
- Rep. Emmi de Jesus, Gabriela Womens Party
- Rep. Raymond Palatino, Kabataan
- Rep. Antonio Tinio, ACT Teachers
- Rep. Fernando Hicap, Anakpawis
- Rep. Carlos Isagani Zarate, Bayan Muna
- Rep. Terry Ridon, Kabataan Party-list
At Large
- Dr. Bienvenido Lumbera
- Raymond Palatino
- Dr. Reynaldo Lesaca Jr.
- Dr. Romeo Quijano
- Joel Lamangan
- Dr. Ed Clemente
- Dr. Lenie Jara
- Atty. Gres Fabros
- Judy Taguiwalo
- Amirah Lidasan
- Joel Maglunsod
CPP protest actions are often designed to provoke overreactions by Philippine security forces by inciting demonstrators to threaten law enforcement officers during the protest and by defacing or destroying both government and private property.