Raps poised vs rally leaders over attack on Marine

A Marine sergeant, who was beaten up by angry protesters in Quezon City the other day, is poised to file charges against rally leaders and organizers, the Armed Forces of the Philippines-National Capital Region Command said yesterday.

Marine Sgt. Ferdinand Alcantara was punched and kicked by members of militant labor and farmers’ groups at the Quezon City Memorial Circle after he was accused of infiltrating a protest caravan that started from Laguna several days ago.

Alcantara was chased by rallyists after he was caught carrying a firearm. The mob got more furious after finding out that he was a military man.

"This is unfair. We are readying charges against those responsible. We will not just allow this incident to pass," NCRCOM spokesman Capt. Ramon Zagala said yesterday.

He said Alcantara, who had been on an official mission, would file charges of abduction and serious physical injuries against the leaders and organizers of the protest march with the Quezon City Prosecutor’s Office.

"Instead of acting like an unruly mob, the rallyists should have the courtesy to thank Alcantara for watching over them and protecting them against possible infiltration by people seeking to take advantage of the protest march," he said.

He added the unfortunate incident could have been avoided if rally organizers and their leaders had the prudence to educate their members before bringing them to the streets.

The NCRCOM earlier confirmed that Alcantara was dispatched to Quezon City to monitor the rally following intelligence reports that the protest march to Mendiola would be infiltrated by the New People’s Army (NPA).

"When he was accosted, Sgt. Alcantara was even 300 meters away from the march. He was dispatched there to make it difficult for the infiltrators to take advantage of innocent marchers," Zagala stressed.

While describing what happened to Alcantara was part of a soldier’s job, Zagala lamented that rallyists are often blinded with rage when it comes to soldiers.

"Hindi kami ang kalaban dito. Si Sgt. Alcantara kaya pinadala doon para tumulong sa pagbantay na walang mangyayaring masama sa kanila. Siya pa ang napasama. Gigil na gigil sila noong malaman na sundalo siya," he said.

Zagala said Alcantara, who is formalizing his complaint, returned to his unit last Friday afternoon. – Jaime Laude