News Release                     Reference: Raymond Palatino, National President, 09205723638, 09223570410

May 2, 2007         

 

Kabataan Partylist condemns arbitrary arrest, detention of youth coordinator

More cases of illegal detention against members of progressive partylist feared as elections comes near

 

The Kabataan Partylist today condemned the arbitrary arrest and illegal detention of one of its coordinators Ken Ambay following the Labor Day celebrations.

 

Ambay, 20, and a student of the University of the Philippines Manila, was with other UP Manila students in front of a fast food store near Morayta when two men in plain clothes apprehended him and had him handcuffed.

 

When Ambay's companions tried to help him, the two men brought out their pistols and started aiming their gun at them.

 

"When we began to question why did they handcuff him and why were they taking him, they threatened to shoot anyone who would come near and help Ken," Mariche Hermosa, also a UP Manila student and one of Ambay's companions.

 

Ambay was initially brought to a police precint in the area and was immediately transferred to the Manila Police Headquarters in United Nations Avenue. The two arresting men were later on identified as Inspector Dexter Versola and PO1 Christopher Amistoso. The two claimed that Ambay was identified as one of the assailants who mugged a certain PO2 Raul Gumiran who was not with the officers during the arrest.

 

"This is a clear case of harassment against Kabataan Partylist.Their accusation against our coordinator Ken Ambay is baseless and fabricated, and is intended to harass members and coordinators. We are calling for the immediate release of Ken Ambay," Kabataan Partylist President Raymond Palatino said.

 

Palatino also appealed to the Commission on Human Rights and the Commission on Elections to conduct their own investigation of the arbitrary arrest and detention of Ambay.

 

"We fear that this might lead to more cases of arbitrary arrest, detention and harassment against Kabataan and other progressive partylist groups who are known critics of this administration."

 

Meanwhile, Palatino said Kabataan Partylist is planning to file counter charges against the arresting officers for violations of their own standard procedures and for physical assault and threat perpetrated against Ambay and his companions.

 
Delete Reply