3 more activists arrested

MANILA,Philippines — Three more activists were arrested in Tondo, Manila at past midnight yesterday.

Ram Carlo Bautista, Bayan Manila campaign director; Alma Moran, a member of Manila Workers Unity’s secretariat; and Ina Nacino, Kadamay Manila coordinator, were arrested during a raid on the Bayan Manila office at around 1 a.m.

The raid came days after Gabriela-Metro Manila spokesperson Cora Agovida and her husband Michael Tan Bartolome, campaign officer of Kadamay-Metro Manila, were arrested at their house in Paco, Manila at around 5 a.m. on Oct. 31.

Karapatan secretary-general Cristina Palabay belied a police report that guns and bombs were confiscated during the raid on the office, saying it is similar to the report on the government’s raid on militant groups’ offices in Negros, also on Oct. 31. 

Philippine National Police spokesman Brig. Gen. Bernard Banac said the PNP “performs its mandate to enforce the law following established procedures with utmost respect for human rights,” adding that the operation was covered by search warrants.

National Capital Region Police Office chief Brig. Gen. Debold Sinas said police officers carried search warrants for illegal possession of firearms and explosives when they raided the office and confiscated a 5.56 mm Bushmaster 15-E26 rifle, two short 5.56 mm magazines, 45 5.56 mm bullets, a Colt MK4 Series 80 .45 caliber pistol, a Colt automatic .45 caliber pistol, two hand grenades, cell phones, a laptop and other equipment.

The search warrants were issued by Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 89 Judge Cecilyn Burgos Villavert.

Asked to comment on the militant groups’ claim that the evidence was planted, Sinas said they can present their defense in court.

Sinas said they are applying for search warrants to arrest leaders of the communist New People’s Army who are in Metro Manila since “we do not know what their plans are.”