By Mark Vincent A. Durano

Some activists face criminal charges from the Philippine National Police (PNP) after the mobilization in remembrance of Bonifacio Day and Day of the Toiling Masses erupted when anti-riot police barred them from reaching the Mendiola Peace Arch last November 30.

The mobilization started from Liwasang Bonifacio where they also offered flowers for the revolutionist.

Manila Police District (MPD) nabbed  62-year old organizer Nilo ‘Ka Nilo’ Mortifero from San Jose del Monte (SJDM), Bulacan during an attempt to avoid the clash between police forces and protesters along Recto Avenue. 

According to Bayan Muna, he was crowded by at most six officers on his way to find a bathroom.

Ka Nilo was a member of the local chapter of Bayan Muna - SJDM and was reported to be a stroke survivor.  

After the program, Gabriela Women’s Party representative Arlene Brosas and former Bayan Muna representative Ferdie Gaite bargained with the police but did not receive any information.  

As of press time, the Bayan Muna member is still detained under the Criminal Investigation Office of MPD.

Several protesters, including Ka Nilo and Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) Chairperson Elmer Labog, were also given a complaint for direct assault and disobedience to an agent of a person in authority according to PNP spokesperson Police Brigadier General Jean Fajardo in a press briefing yesterday, December 2.

“Isa po ang nasa custody at nasampahan na rin natin itong isang taong nasa custody natin pati ‘yung leader mismo ng [Kilusang Mayo Uno] ay kinasuhan natin bagama’t at large po siya, at several John Does (We have charged this one person in custody, KMU’s leader even though he is at large, and several John Does),” Fajardo said.

The complaints were lodged a day after the commemoration, December 1.

PNP also filed a violation of Batas Pambansa Blg. 880 because they had no permit. 

The same narrative can also be observed in other attacks on activists such as the recent case of Makabayan senatorial candidates Mody Floranda and Mimi Doringo from the transport strike last August and the case of ‘Bacolod 6.’

While PNP reported that at least eight police were injured, at least 40 rallyists were hurt.

Moreover, KMU and Bayan Muna denounced the said response of the state against attempts to protest against unlivable working conditions.

“Kung buhay ang demokrasya at ang ipinaglabang kalayaan ni Bonifacio, hindi dapat harangan ang mapayapang protesta papuntang Mendiola, [na] simbolo ng paglaban at kabayanihan laban sa diktadura. Lalo’t higit, walang dapat ikulong dahil sa pagpapahayag ng panawagan para sa kapakanan ng aping mamamayan (If the democracy and freedom Bonifacio fought for is still alive, a peaceful protest should not be blocked towards Mendiola, which is a symbol of resistance and togetherness against dictatorship. Especially, no one should be arrested for heeding calls for the sake of abused citizens),” Bayan Muna expressed.

They also asserted that the police were angry as the police barricade was dismantled due to the people’s resistance.

“Ginagawa ito ng PNP para ilihis ang usapin mula sa mga lehitimong kahingian ng mga manggagawa’t mamamayan (PNP does this to divert the issue from the legitimate demands of laborers and citizens),” KMU said in a press statement.

Meanwhile, KMU is also currently preparing cases against PNP for injuring protesters, illegally nabbing Ka Nilo, and the charges against Labog.

Several mobilizations towards Mendiola have been barred by MPD in recent commemorations such as the Ampatuan Massacre, Black Parol protest by education sector groups, and World Fisheries Day.

(Photo by Melvin James Urubio/FEU Advocate)