Militants return cops’ belongings after Sona encounter

Militants return to the PNP shields, protective gear and cellphones of anti-riot cops they encountered on Monday. Julliane Love De Jesus/INQUIRER.net

Militants returned to the Philippine National Police the cell phones of two undercover cops as well as shields, truncheons and protective gears of antiriot policemen after their encounter during the protests on Monday.

Doris Cuario, Karapatan Southern Tagalog spokesperson, said this was their response to the PNP chief Director General Ricardo Marquez, who vowed to file charges against those who mauled Chief Insp. Antonio Ananayao Jr. and PO1 Reden Malagonio.

“This is to show PNP chief Marquez that we, the rallyists, are respecting the rule of law,” Cuario told reporters on Tuesday.

But Cuario clarified that this did not mean they were apologizing to the intelligence policemen they held for spying on the protesters hours before President Aquino delivered his last State of the Nation Address.

“Hindi ito paghingi ng sorry kundi ito ay nagpapatunay na kami ay tapat at nagsasabi ng totoo, hindi katulad ng mga pulis,” she said.

The PNP’s stand, however, remains that the return of items “does not absolve them of the offense they committed against our police personnel.”

“We recognize the intention but we suggest they return those belongings to the persons where they got it … We will still pursue the filing of apropriate cases against the involved demonstrators,” PNP spokesperson Chief Supt. Wilben Mayor told the media.

· PNP chief asks militants to respect cops

At least 20 members of Karapatan and Bagong Alyansang Makabayan Southern Tagalog held a rally in front of the PNP headquarters in Camp Crame in Quezon City to demand the release of 60 political prisoners in Southern Luzon.

The members also laid in front of Crame’s Santolan Gate the shields, truncheons, protective gears, identification card and personal belongings of riot cops they encountered during the anti-Sona rally on Commonwealth Avenue.

Cuario also brought a handwritten letter to the PNP as proof that they had returned the policemen’s belongings.

“Our organization has observed proper treatment and respect for the rights of the two intelligence officers. And further remind the PNP officers that such actions are not permissible by law since taking pictures or videos of individuals without permission is a violation of human rights,” the letter read.

Supt. Sonny Mera of the PNP Headquarters Support Service and Cuario’s group have agreed that personnel from Quezon City Police District’s Cubao Police Station will receive the items.

Marquez on Monday said the PNP was bent on filing direct assault, physical injuries and robbery against the militants.

One of the two undercover cops suffered head injuries from the scuffle and was recommended to undergo MRI and CT-scan tests.

But Cuario defended their actions, saying Ananayao and Magalonio violated the 50-meter rule between the police and militants.

Cuario said policemen infiltrated their ranks “to incite violence.”

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