PAMALAKAYA seeks CHR probe into arrest of its official

Fisherfolk group Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamalakaya ng Pilipinas on Saturday sought the assistance of the Commission on Human Rights for an investigation following the alleged "illegal" arrest of their chairman in the Caraga region.

In a statement, PAMALAKAYA National Chairman Fernando Hicap slammed the Philippine National Police's (PNP) arrest on Rogelio de Asis, who was accused of killing some members of the Manobo tribe in March last year.

Hicap maintained that the PNP's narrative was “concocted.”

“For the record, De Asis was actively coordinating with the national office of PAMALAKAYA in regard to the potential impacts of the community quarantine to fishing communities in his area of responsibility, on the time that the alleged killing happened. There was no way that he would be present in that incident, as his communication with us was very consistent,” Hicap, a former Anakpawis party-list solon, said.

According to the group, De Asis is also a coordinator of Anakpawis Caraga and attended the party-list’s national convention ahead of the 2019 elections.

Hicap said De Asis last contacted the group when he reported the arrest of PAMALAKAYA member Greco Regala in Agusan del Norte, together with other activists in the province in simultaneous police operations last week.

“De Asis was just coordinating with us the illegal arrest of Regala, our local leader in Agusan del Norte, last week. Until he lost contact a few days ago and we found out that he just got arrested,” Hicap said.

“We are aghast by the PNP’s desperation to silence our organization in Caraga, by making up stories that would justify their crackdown campaign,” Hicap added.

PAMALAKAYA will be seeking assistance from the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) for a probe into the authorities' alleged crackdown in the Caraga region leading to arrests of activists.

But the PNP said De Asis is a member of the Regional White Area Committee under Regional United Front Committee of the New People's Army.

The operation against De Asis stemmed from the warrants of arrest for alleged violation of Section 6 (Other Crimes Against Humanity) of Republic Act 9851 otherwise known as Crimes against International Humanitarian Law, Genocides, and Other Crimes against Humanity and murder with no bail recommended, which were issued by Judge Edwin Malazarte of the 11th Judicial Region, RTC Branch 27, Tandag City, Surigao del Sur.

Police said De Asis is among the suspects in the killing of one Zaldy Acidillo Ybañez and a certain Datu Bernandino Astudillo, both members of the Manobo tribe.

Also, the PNP said the two were former members of the New People's Army, and De Asis allegedly stabbed the victims multiple times using a bladed weapon to discourage other rebels from leaving the communist group.

PAMALAKAYA said they are set to launch a “Free Duds de Asis” campaign for his immediate release. —LBG, GMA News