By Calvin Cordova
CEBU CITY — The so-called “Cebu 8” is mulling the filing of charges against the Philippine National Police (PNP) officials and personnel, who arrested them at a protest rally against the passage of the anti-terrorism bill in front of the University of the Philippines (UP) Cebu campus last June 5.
A UP alumnus and six members of various cause-oriented groups were reported arrested by the police in an Anti-Terror Bill protest in UP Cebu, June 5. (CEGP-Cebu / MANILA BULLETIN)
This was disclosed by the group’s spokesperson lawyer King Anthony Perez after the Cebu 8 was released from detention Monday night.
Executive Judge Jenelyn Forrosuelo, presiding judge of the Municipal Trial Court in Cities Branch 4 in Cebu City, did not recommend bail for the eight as the cases filed against them will have to go through summary procedure.
Ordered released were Joahanna Veloso, associate vice president of National Union of Students of the Philippines; Bern Canedo, vice president of UP Cebu Student Council; Dyan Gumabao of Kabataan Partylist-Cebu; Jaime Paglinawan, chairperson of BAYAN-Central VIsayas; Janry Ubal of Food Not Bombs-Cebu, Al Ingking, a UP alumnus; and Clement Corominas, who was said to be a bystander.
They stepped out of the Waterfront Police Station at 6:50 p.m. last Monday.
Charges for alleged violations of Sec. 13 of Batasang Pambansa or the “The Public Assembly Act of 1985”, Sec. 9 of Republic Act No. 11332 of the “Law on Reporting of Communicable Diseases”, and Art. 151 paragraph 2 of the Revised Penal Code were filed against the eight.
Police Col. Cydric Earl Tamayo, officer-in-charge of the Cebu City Police Office, said they were ready to face the counter-charge.
“We will be waiting what charges they will be filing against us. That’s their right. We will answer those charges,” said Tamayo.
Tamayo insisted the police did not violate the 1989 UP-DND Peace Accord even if some of the Cebu 8 were arrested inside the UP campus.
“Remember, there was no COVID-19 when the accord was created that’s why we have to wait what charges they will be filing,” said Tamayo.
Tamayo also asked the group to report the alleged threat that one of the accused received last Monday afternoon.
According to the Youth Act Now Against Tyranny Cebu, a group of unidentified men went to Ingking’s residence.
The men allegedly asked Ingking’s family how long he has been an activist and also inquired about his address.
Before leaving, the men left this warning: “Badlonga na ninyo kay sa sunod ninyo mahibaw-an naa nana sya sa kabaong (Reprimand him because the next thing you’ll hear about him, he’s already inside a coffin).”
“They better report to the police so we can investigate the alleged threat and if possible, we will provide security,” said Tamayo.
Read more: ‘Cebu 8’ released