Police, military stops peace mission in surprise checkpoint

From Duyog sa Panaw 2011 - Pantukan, Compostela Valley

Pantukan, Compostela Valley - A composite team of Pantukan police and soldiers belonging to the 71st Infantry Battalion, Philippine Army atop a 6x6 army vehicle, held at a surprise checkpoint, 73 members of a Peace and Mercy Mission of the church-led Exodus for Justice and Peace Saturday afternoon.

Police Inspector Dwayne Ducducan, head of the 10-man composite team ordered male members of Duyog sa Panaw mission – composed of church people and human rights advocates from Davao City and Manila – to alight from the truck at around 4: 30 pm near the Pantukan poblacion. “We were falsely accused of carrying firearms. It was pure harassment against us,” cried Rev. Angelico Confreros, Jr. of Exodus for Justice and Peace

The Mission came from Sitio Gumayan, Brgy. Kingking where they investigated circumstances surrounding the killing of Santos Manrique, a known mining leader, as well as the impact of the mining operations of the US-based Russel Mining.

“We resisted and asserted that it was an illegal search they’re doing, therefore it was unnecessary for any of us to unload from the truck. We were willing to submit to a checkpoint in plain view only. But the police insisted. We even showed them the approved letter and permission from Pantukan Mayor Celso Sarenas, but they ignored it and proceeded with their search. Under duress, our male contingent unloaded and raised their shirts to show that we were not carrying any arms,” said Hanimay Suazo, acting deputy secretary general of Karapatan Southern Mindanao and head of the documentation team of the mission delegates in Pantukan.

Undeterred by the harassment, the groups proceeded to the police station to continue with their fact-finding mission. They interviewed authorities on its own investigation of Manrique’s killing. They also filed a police blotter to complain over the death threats received by Belen Galleto, Manrique’s colleague and also a member of Save Pantukan Alliance and Panalipdan, both environmental groups opposing foreign and large-scale mining in ssouthern Mindanao.

The group also filed a police blotter on the illegal search and checkpoint, which prompted the police to later ask for an apology.

“We condemn this act of arrogance from the state’s law enforcing agencies, the PNP and the Armed forces of the Philippines (AFP). They can never silence or stop us from seeking justice,” said Bishop Modesto Villasanta, convenor of the Exodus for Justice and Peace.

Duyog sa Panaw is a national interfaith peace and mercy mission attended by national and local peace and human rights advocates. It sent fact-finding delegations to Pantukan and Sta. Cruz towns, areas where extra-judicial killings have recently occurred.###

Police, military stops peace mission in surprise checkpoint
Press Release
May 22, 2011

For reference:

Exodus for Justice and Peace Secretariat
0930-532-1683