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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Abalos orders DILG Pangasinan official to take a leave over 'harassment' of onion farmers

Abalos orders DILG Pangasinan official to take a leave over 'harassment' of onion farmers

Published Jan 24, 2023 04:55 pm

Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benjamin “Benhur” Abalos Jr. ordered on Tuesday, Jan. 24, an official of the department's Pangasinan office to take a leave following the alleged harassment by policemen on some onion farmers in the province.

This, after DILG Pangasinan Director Virgilio Sison was accused as the one who directed the Bayambang Police to conduct an investigation on the reported suicide of farmers.

“Hinahantay ko yung explanation ng DILG (Pangasinan head), bakit siya gumalaw nang hindi ko alam on a provincial level? Inaalam ko rin yun. I am just awaiting for explanation lang,” Abalos said. ( I was waiting for the explanation of the DILG, why did he make a move without me knowing it on the provincial level? I am just waiting for an explanation),’’ Abalos said.

“On the part of the DILG, pinasuspinde ko muna yung tao, pina-leave ko muna pending investigation. Hindi suspended e, pinaalis ko muna sa puwesto pending investigation (I suspended him, I placed him on leave status pending investigation. Not suspended, I just temporarily ordered his removal pending investigation),’’ he added.

On Jan. 20, Merly Gallardo, an onion farmer, appeared at a recent Senate hearing and claimed that the police visited her house several times, asking her to sign a statement in connection with the death of her husband.

“May kaunting mali. Sinabi doon hindi nalugi si Tatay (There is a little mistake (in the statement). It was stated there that Tatay did not suffer from financial losses),” Gallardo said.

Gallardo thinks her husband committed suicide due to the financial losses of their onion production.

On Jan. 19, Senator Imee Marcos in a GMA News report, said she received information that the police went to the houses of the onion farmers to investigate the reported suicide of five farmers.

She said the farmers were being asked to sign a document indicating that they were retracting their statements made during the Senate investigation on high onion prices.

Philippine National Police (PNP) public information office chief Police Colonel Redrico Maranan said the Bayambang Police only followed the directive of the DILG Pangasinan to validate the reports of suicide. (Chito A. Chavez)

Related Tags

DILG SECRETARY BENHUR ABALOS suicide cases onion farmers take a leave director virgilio sison
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