The Kilusang Mayo Uno demands on Monday the immediate release of National Democratic Front of the Philippines leader Rafael Baylosis during a protest rally held at Mendiola, Manila. FAYE ORELLANA/INQUIRER.net
The Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) has accused the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Armed Forces of Philippines (AFP) of planting evidence on National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) consultant Rafael Baylosis.
This, as KMU chairman Elmer “Bong” Labog also maintained that Baylosis was captured on “trumped-up” charges since no court order was issued against the NDFP leader prior his arrest.
“Yes, there are so many cases involving the PNP and AFP where evidence were planted just to justify their arbitrary and illegal apprehension of their targets,” Labog said in an interview.
According to Labog, Baylosis was not known for carrying a firearm.
On January 31, authorities arrested Baylosis and his companion, Roque Guillermo Jr., while “conducting casing and surveillance” at Aurora Boulevard corner Katipunan Avenue in quezon City after receiving information about “armed and suspicious-looking” persons in the area.
READ: NDF consultant arrested – Karapatan
The two yielded two .45-caliber guns, 14 ammos, two magazines, cellphones, and assorted documents, according to authorities.
“Hindi kami naniniwala na nagdadala ng baril si Ka Raffy. Obviously, talaga planted and trumped up charges yung ginawa sa kanya,” Labog asserted.
“Walang court order at napaka-arbitrary yung ginawa sa sa kanya,” he added.
Joint forces from the Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (ISAFP), Regional Intelligence Division-NCR Police Office, District Intelligence Division-Manila Police District and Quezon City Police District, and PNP Intelligence Group conducted the operation
Baylosis and Guillermo are currently detained in Camp Crame with charges of illegal possession of explosives for the grenade allegedly found in Baylosis’ bag.
READ: Red leader nabbed in QC
Labog then criticized the Duterte administration for the “baseless” and “temperamental” arrest of Baylosis.
“Walang batayan at isang kabarumbaduhan pa rin ng gobyernong Duterte ang pag-arrest, arbitrary arrest, kay Ka Raffy Baylosis,” Labog said.
At this point, Labog called on the government to return to serious peace negotiations to achieve genuine and lasting peace, as well as respect previously agreed pacts, including the implementation of the Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantees (JASIG).
“Hangga’t walang seryosong pag uusap, walang makakamit na kapayaan sa ating bayan,” Labog said
“Kung kaya’t naninindigan kami na sa lalong madaling panahon ay ituloy ang usaping pagkapayaan at irespeto ang JASIG holders katulad ni Ka Raffy Baylosis,” he added. Faye Orellana, INQUIRER.net /kga