Charges dismissed vs Aquino heckler

LEGAZPI CITY—Charges have been dropped against a student activist from this city who heckled President Aquino during his Independence Day visit here last year.

Judge Zenaida Bragais, of Branch 3 of the Municipal Trial Court of Naga City, dismissed on Thursday the complaint against Pio Emmanuel Mijares, 20, a senior psychology student of Ateneo De Naga University, because of the failure of the complainant, policeman Jorge Estocado of the Naga City police, to attend the hearings.

Mijares was charged with disturbance and assault on a person of authority on June 14, 2014, two days after he heckled the President while Mr. Aquino was delivering his Independence Day speech at Plaza Quince Martires in Naga City.

In the middle of the President’s speech, Mijares came out of nowhere and shouted “There is no change in the Aquino administration!” while waving an anti-Aquino banner.

Mijares, in a phone interview Friday, said he was felt relief that his legal ordeal was over.

“I am so thankful to all who helped and supported me. But this does not mean that it is also the end of my advocacy for education and rights,” he said.

Mijares is the Bicol coordinator of the National Union of the Students of the Philippines and a member of Kabataan Party-list and several other youth organizations.

He said for a year, his family was concerned about his safety as they noticed suspicious-looking men tailing him in public places. “At times, I could see people taking pictures and some were following after me. Lately, I really felt the threat and harassment,” he said.

He said there were instances when he could no longer focus on his studies but he was grateful that it did not affect his grades.