Police claim Kadamay leader, members in Pandi surrendered 'subversive' documents

Region III police claimed Monday that it was the leader of the urban poor group Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap (Kadamay) in Pandi, Bulacan who surrendered the supposed subversive documents contrary to earlier reports that they were seized by authorities.

In a press statement, Police Regional Office III chief Police Brigadier General Rhodel Sermonia said on July 26, Pandi Kadamay leader Lea Maralit, together with six other Kadamay members, asked the police to go to the Model House, Villa Louis in Barangay Siling Bata to get the said documents.

The other members are identified as Marilou Iligan, Jeselyn Jasadon, Beth Guerrero, Carmie Dela Cruz, Niel Villamor, and Gina Peyil.

According to Sermonia, Maralit said she was afraid the subversive documents would be used during the 5th State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Rodrigo Duterte.

Citing information from Maralit, Sermonia said "the Kadamay group in Pandi has already pledged support to the government’s programs of ending the decades long insurgency and roadmap of lasting peace in the country."

"Time and again, we urge those who are still actively fighting the government to lay down their arms and embrace other peaceful means to attain their sought after changes and to refrain from recruiting youth from poor families and students from state colleges and universities in Central Luzon," Sermonia said.

"Our government has several programs to retool you so that you could all  become even more productive members of our society," he added.

Meanwhile, Sermonia also said when police were patrolling the area on the same day, they apprehended Kadamay's former health officer Rosalita Fortaleza and one Buenavil Fortaleza as they were walking along the sidewalk without wearing face masks.

When police apprehend them, they were holding pamphlets of Pinoystreet.Org. Cops further claimed the two individuals tried to escape from them.

The PRO III said appropriate charges for alleged violations of Republic Act 11332 and Art. 151 of the Revised Penal Code against the two are being readied.

Kadamay has condemned the police for the “warrantless and baseless” arrest of Fortaleza as well as the raid at the said housing site.

Kadamay said Fortaleza is still detained at the Pandi Police Station without any formal charges filed against her, adding that her family members were barred from seeing her.

As regards the seizure of the documents, Pinoy Weekly had said members of Kadamay asked for a search warrant from the cops, however, Police Captain Jun Alejandrino, the Pandi police chief who headed the raid, said the magazines were ‘illegal’ and that they should give up the copies or else ‘may mangyayari."

Meanwhile, Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) secretary general Renato Reyes on Monday denounced the raid.

"Hindi pa nga ho napapatupad ang terror law, meron na silang ginagawa para i-terrorize ang ating mga kababayan," he said in an interview on GMA News' Unang Balita.

"Walang batayan po. Walang legal na batayan ang ginawang raid at pagkumpiska ng mga diyaryo. Anong klase ho 'yan?" Reyes said.

"Sabi nila wala hong martial law pero parang martial law ang ginagawa nila sa ating mga kababayan," he added. —AOL/KG, GMA News