By KALIBO, Aklan – Members of the militant groups arrested today a military asset conducting surveillance and taking pictures during the international working women’s day celebration in Kalibo, Aklan.
Cezar Nacion Inocencio admitted he is an asset of the Armed Forces of the Philippines but refused to identify his superiors when presented to the Kalibo Police Station by arresting members of Bayan Aklan.
“Surveillance on the legitimate activities of people’s organizations is an overt act that clearly aims to harass, intimidate, and sow terror. This is at the core of the Aquino administration’s counter insurgency program Oplan Bayanihan,” Bayan Aklan chairperson George Calaor said.
Members of youth group Anakbayan Christine Joy Estrada and Jason Estrada were hurt during the arrest.
Christine was grabbed and pushed by Inocencio when asked of his name while Jason sustained laceration on his toe.
With his refusal to talk and attempt to run away, Bayan members initiated the citizen’s arrest.
“Despite the AFP’s supposed handover of the province’s internal matters to the PNP last year due to its classification of the province as insurgence free, it is still hell-bent on undermining the constitutional rights of the Aklanons and the Yolanda survivors who are only asserting for what is due to them,” added Calaor.
The group urged the Peace and Order Council of Aklan headed by Governor Florencio Miraflores to look into and take a stand on the said incident.
The women’s day celebration in the province was led by Bayan and survivors of super typhoon Yolanda under Rise Up Aklan. They held a march rally to the Kalibo Municipal Hall and had dialogue with Mayor William Lachica with regards the release of emergency shelter assistance (ESA) to survivors./PT
