BAYAN condemns military harassment against COURAGE leader

A Press Statement by Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN-SB)
February 8, 2007

Members and officers of COURAGE in the region is one of those facing the brunt of Oplan Bantay Laya’s offensive against legal and progressive activists. First it was Pax Diaz, regional chairperson then it was Jose Maria Cui, chairperson in Northern Samar then a week after it was Dominador de Luna of Catbalogan. Just recently was the harassment committed against the person of Ricky Palencia, the incumbent chairperson of COURAGE in Eastern Visayas.

Last Feb. 4 (Sunday), two elements of the military presumed to belong to the Internal Security Unit (ISU) was apprehended by elements of the SWAT as they were tailing Ricky Palencia since he left LMWD Motorpool at Nulatula until he arrived at their main office in Tacloban City. The two men who were riding a red XRM motorcycle with expired registration and no plate number were identified as Joshua Mendoza and Jorge Lamoste. Both were then taken to the Tacloban PNP Station for questioning.

Both denied that they were shadowing Mr. Palencia claiming that they are new in the city and were just out on sight seeing. However, when, Bernie Devaras and Jovito Susaya who are both employee of LMWD arrived, they positively identified one of those apprehended as the triggerman that shot and killed Sammy Bandilla and seriously wounding Bernie Devaras. It is worth remembering that October 15 of 2004, Bandilla, Susaya and Devaras just came from their picket infrot of LMWD and were on their way to the house of Bandilla when motorcyvle-riding assassin shot them at Paseo de Legaspe hitting both Devaras and Bandilla.

Unfortunately, the police released them claiming that the arrest was irregular and that there is no material basis for their continued detention. Both were fetched by motorcycle which also has no plate number. During the investigation, an identified person was seen going inside the investigation room and conversing with the apprehended men. The unidentified person was recognized as an ISU agent.

This incident strengthen our claim that it is the military and their death squad that are doing the killings among our rank. It further negates the claim of Task Force Usig of “internal purging”. Furthermore, this is another blow to Mrs. Arroyo who has continually exonerated the military of any culpability and even asked the European Union to help her bolster her claim.