Office of the Ombudsman, Quezon City --- Bayan Muna Rep. Neri Colmenares said, “our filing of complaints with the Office of the Ombudsman regarding threats and harassment inflicted on Makabayan volunteers primarily aim to stop election-related attacks and smear campaigns against us. If perpetrators are sanctioned, their kind will likely back down. The Ombudsman is our first recourse now but Army Chief Lt. Gen. Delfin Bangit ought to take the initiative to reprimand his men for partisan political campaigns."
A Major Arnaldo Manjares from the 901st Infantry Brigade in Catanduanes assaulted and threatened Makabayan campaign volunteers last February. "What Maj. Manjares did to harm and intimidate volunteers of Makabayan in Sorsogon City violates basic human rights, the government's code of conduct and the election code. AFP members involved in such barbaric acts should be investigated, kicked out of service and even jailed," added Colmenares.
"We also demand an immediate stop to soldiers' house-to-house campaigns in Metro Manila, Southern Tagalog and Mindanao against Satur Ocampo, Liza Maza and progressive partylists such as Bayan Muna. Fascists in the government have a nationwide vilification campaign against progressives. What's worse are the actual harm and attempted assassinations done. For all we know, the grenade attack by suspected military agents on Councilor Fernando Baldomero, a Bayan Muna leader, was intended for me, since I was Baldomero's guest a couple of days earlier during our campaign sortie in Lezo, Aklan," exclaimed Colmenares.
Weeks ago, two motorcycle-riding men threw two vintage apple-type hand grenades at the house of Baldomero who hosted Colmenares and staff. Fortunately, only one exploded, which damaged Baldomero's house and furniture, and no one was injured in the incident.
"Bayan Muna condemns such attacks and will exhaust all venues to have military and police elements involved in partisan activities and human rights violations sanctioned," concluded Colmenares.###
