Makabayan solons decry confiscation of Sona statement attires, props

MANILA, Philippines — Members of the House Makabayan bloc denounced Wednesday the confiscation by members of the Presidential Security Group (PSG) of their statement-laden attires and props just before President Rodrigo Duterte’s started his fourth State of the Nation Address on Monday.

Kabataan Rep. Sarah Elago said the two sashes she and her guest wore calling for the “protection of national sovereignty and stop to the killings” were confiscated inside the House of Representatives building. Elago said the sashes have yet to be returned to her.

“Kung dito pa lang sa Kongreso kitang-kita na natin kung paano tinatanggalan ng boses at kung paano magpapahayag ‘yung ating mga kababayan, paano po kaya sa labas ng Kongreso?” Elago said in a press conference.

In a separate statement Monday, Kabataan party-list denounced the “baseless” confiscation as not just an “attack to the democratic rights of Makabayan representatives to express the genuine calls of the people inside the halls of Congress,” but was also “an attack to the real state of the nation of the people.”

Bayan Muna Rep. Ferdinand Gaite said his barong which had the statement “national minimum wage and end endo” printed on it, was also confiscated by personnel of the PSG who claimed that his barong has “explicit” content. Gaite said his barong tagalog was seized while he was at the South Gate of the Batasang Pambansa Complex.

“Dapat may susuotin akong may symbol ng panawagan ng mga manggagawa sa Sona… apparently may martial law rin pala rito sa House of Representatives,” Gaite lamented.

Meanwhile, Gabriela Rep. Arlene Brosas said her fan which bore the statement “Serbisyo sa Tao, Huwag gawing Negosyo” was also confiscated.

PSG spokesperson Zeerah Blanche Lucresia said they are currently looking into the claims.

“Regarding your query, we are currently looking into the matter and we will be issuing an official statement as soon as possible,” Lucresia told INQUIRER.net. /muf