By Martin Sadongdong
Urban poor group Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap (Kadamay) on Wednesday criticized the alleged surveillance by the Philippine National Police (PNP) amid the police and military's claims that some groups are conniving to oust President Duterte next month through an operation dubbed as "Red October."
In a statement, Kadamay national chairperson Gloria Arellano said two police officers visited their headquarters in barangay Holy Spirit, Quezon City around 9 p.m. Tuesday and asked for her whereabouts.
(Kadamay / MANILA BULLETIN)
Fortunately, Arellano said she was no longer in the office but the police officers allegedly started questioning the lone member of Kadamay who was in their office during that time.
According to Arellano, the officers -- one of whom was identified as a certain SPO4 Alamara, asked how often she comes to their office and where she lives. The group claimed the policemen were from the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) Station 6, the police station having jurisdiction over Barangay Holy Spirit.
"They were also keen on asking about the leaders of the national office and their whereabouts," Arellano said.
"Kadamay condemns this desperate move by the increasingly unpopular Duterte government to harass and intimidate our ranks into submission. Hundreds of activists and human rights defenders in the county are being tracked, followed or murdered," she noted.
"It is evident that the purpose of this visit by state forces was meant to instill fear and gather information about the organization," she added.
Just recently, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) confirmed that several opposition groups are allegedly teaming up to oust Duterte from power.
As for the PNP, Director General Oscar Albayalde said they are unsure of the Red October plot but added they are consistently getting information about groups out to destabilize the government.
Albayalde said they are "closely monitoring" the groups, especially now that they have started teaming up with communist rebels. Relatedly, police, military, and even Kadamay former leaders alleged that the group has started to become a "breeding ground" for New People's Army (NPA).
"Marami 'yan, nag-umpisa 'yan sa Black Friday although there are persistent information kasi. There are alleged na nagu-grupo grupo, nag-a-alliance para sirain, not necessarily patalsikin, 'yung present administration. (There are many of them and it started during the Black Friday although there are persistent information. There are groups allegedly forming alliances to destroy, not necessarily oust the present administration)," Albayalde revealed.
He said they will continue to strengthen their intelligence gathering to prevent the opposition groups' plans.