Groups belonging to the umbrella organization Bagong Alyansang Makabayan today held a noise barrage in Manila to condemn government’s role in the raging economic crisis. The groups also made a statement against what they call “police brutality” after the arrests that took place at the New Era hospital last night involving the family of Ted Failon and elements of the Quezon City Police District.“People are angry over what is happening in our society. They are angry that the government is thinking about Charter change instead of solving the economic crisis. They are angry that law enforcers violate human rights with impunity. They are angered by the kind of police brutality that goes unpunished under the Arroyo regime,” said Bayan secretary general Renato M. Reyes, Jr.
“Ultimately, Mrs. Arroyo is responsible for the deterioration of the economy and for the worsening public discontent under her administration,” Reyes said.
Poverty under the Arroyo regime has worsened according to Bayan with massive unemployment and escalating prices taking its toll on the population. Reyes also said that the poor are the most vulnerable to human rights abuses including police brutality.
Police brutalitly
The group said that the incidents of police brutality could have gotten worse because there are hardly any convictions of erring police officers.
“Police brutality has been ongoing for a long time, often victimizing the poor during saturation drives in communities, demolition of houses, anti-narcotic operations in communities, and other police operations. What is particularly appalling is the level of impunity that we have witnessed in the Failon incident,” Reyes said.
“If this type of brutality could happen to high profile media personalities, then it could surely happen to ordinary folks, especially poor people who have no access to lawyers or the media. The poor are outraged because they know they are now more vulnerable than ever,” Reyes added.
Bayan said among recent incidents of police brutality and excessive use of police power include the Manila Peninsula siege, the violent dispersal of protest actions in Mendiola and the police siege of the Iloilo governor’s office.
“No one has been punished or made accountable, that is why police brutality persists,” Reyes said. ###
