By Defend Southern Tagalog July 8, 2020 RODRIGUEZ, Rizal—A scene of people’s arrest ensued at dusk in SIKKAD K3 office located in 1K2...
By Defend Southern Tagalog
July 8, 2020RODRIGUEZ, Rizal—A scene of people’s arrest ensued at dusk in SIKKAD K3 office located in 1K2, Kasiglahan Village, Rodriguez, Rizal when an unidentified man believed to be Harold Diaz took photographs of unwitting victims who happened to be local market vendors a few moments ago. The two women namely Noralyn Teanila and Filipina Villareal are active members of San Isidro, Kasiglahan Kapatiran at Damayan para sa Kabuhayan, Katarungan, at Kapayapaan (SIKKAD K3), a local organization championing the rights of the urban poor in the said village for socialized housing.
A few hours ago, Teanila noticed an unknown man taking photos of her. Later she would find out that her co-SIKKAD member Villareal was also photographed by the same stranger. Both women make a living by selling products in their neighborhood.
This person was later confirmed to be military intelligence agent when a 6 x 6 military truck loaded with not less than 20 soldiers garbed in full battle gear with their hands on the triggers of their high-caliber M16 and M4A1 Armalite and a police mobile tagged along which immediately cast fear among the residents who witnessed the armed men brusquely enter SIKKAD’s office wherein their agent who they aim to claim is being questioned by the victims and their companions who flanked him for taking unsolicited photographs and harassment of the women.
Before the arrival of armed state elements, a man in green face mask riding a motorcycle suspected to be an agent of NTF-ELCAC dropped by the office and invited the suspect to proceed to the Barangay San Jose Annex building. After a few minutes, Police Mobile of PNP Rodriguez and 2nd Infantry Division PA military truck arrived in front of the SIKKAD K3 office, shoved the furious citizens, and escorted the suspect. The local residents and members of SIKKAD K3 justified the citizen’s arrest because of increased military and police presence and malicious red-tagging that has been going on in their locality.
As of press time, the complainants and SIKKAD members are still in the barangay hall for the dialogue between the Barangay officials and the victims. Unfortunately, the suspected military agent is nowhere to be found. According to a concerned citizen, the suspect left riding the Police mobile of Rodriguez, Rizal.
Per June 23, 2020, the human rights group KARAPATAN Southern Tagalog witnessed firsthand the obnoxious mass surveillance, e. g hovering helicopters daily around the area as well as the intensified presence of police, military and intelligence agents in the vicinity.
“SIKKAD K3 strongly condemns such abominable aggression and violations against the people in their community and will not be silenced by the continuous harassment and surveillance of the PNP Rodriquez and the Philippine Army,” asserts Annafe Cainglet, President of SIKKAD K3. The citizens together with KARAPATAN-ST is working together to take necessary actions to hold the perpetrators accountable and compel the local government to investigate such human rights abuses rampant in the area.
“This collective action is a breakthrough to stand up and inspire people to further resist fascism under Duterte administration,” said Rev. Edwin Egar of Defend Southern Tagalog. The group seeks justice and accountability in an unfortunate event that happens to the complainants and SIKKAD K3. ###
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