1-PACMAN (One Patriotic Coalition of Marginalized Nationals) partylist representative and House Deputy Speaker Michael ‘Mikee’ Romero, ranted against the Philippine National Police (PNP) over a police operation in Cebu province last February 15, 2021, that resulted to the rescue of 19 ‘Lumad’ youths from Mindanao in a privilege speech but fumbled later on over his lack of facts on interpellation by Cavite representative and Senior Deputy Majority Leader, Jesus Crispin ‘Boying’ Remulla of Cavite.
In a privilege speech last February 17, 2021, two days after the police operation (see related story in this issue) and the surfacing of other important facts related to it, Romero, accused the PRO-7, under P/BGen. Ronnie Montejo, for the use of “excessive force” and violating the human rights of the rescued youths inside the University of San Carlos Retreat House in Talamban, Cebu province.
Romero said he wants the incident immediately investigated by Congress and further warned that unless Chief PNP Debold Sinas immediately relieved Montejo and all other police officials involved in the incident, Sinas can also be accused of “having full knowledge” of the “illegal raid” and also be investigated for “command responsibility.”
Showing photos and a video clip of the operation shared to him by the ‘Save Our Schools’ (SOS) network and some of those arrested by the police, Romero pleaded with the House Committee on Good Government and the Committee Children’s Welfare to initiate the probe and for the entire members of the entire 18th Congress to condemn the PNP.
Romero, however, did not divulged that her daughter, Mandy, who is presently studying in the United States, is connected with SOS.
The country’s national security sector has long been claiming that the SOS is among the country’s cause-oriented groups that have been infiltrated and now being secretly manipulated by the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP).
Congressman ‘I don’t know’
Romero’s speech immediately got the support of Rep. Eufemia Cullamat of Bayan Muna/Makabayan Bloc, who also called for the immediate release of the ‘Lumad 26’ from police and government custody.
Romero’s tirade against the PNP was also shared by Manila 6th district representative, Benny Abante, who also said that “heads must roll” in the PNP over the police operation, describing it as an “overkill” and a violation of the Constitution.
But on the interpellation of Remulla, Romero admitted that insofar as he knows, none of the parents of the rescued youths had filed a complaint to the police. “Sa pagkakaalam ko, wala pong complaint na nangyari, wala sila (police) na natanggap na complaint,” Romero said.
“That is what you know; if there is a complaint, will that change your mind on the issue,” Remulla asked.
Romero skirted answering Remulla by claiming he is concerned about the “act of violence against the children” purportedly committed by the police. The solon also claimed he is not aware of any complaint as he accused the PRO-7 of “hiding” the complaint.
Romero’s demonstration of ignorance was despite the fact that just minutes after the operation, Montejo, together with social welfare officials and local officials from Cebu and Davao, held a press conference saying the basis of their operation was the complaint lodged by at least six parents of the rescued youths.
The parents travelled to Cebu all the way from Talaingod, Davao del Norte to file the complaint against those who took away their children from their homes as far back as three years ago.
Likewise, Romero also appears clueless that also last week, the parents have filed a separate complaint against the seven arrested suspects at the regional office of the Commission on Human Rights (CHR).
Romero also conceded that he cannot positively identified the five persons in the video clip he showed to the plenary being subdued by the police if they are already of the right age, or above 18 years old.
“So, you are not sure on the age of those arrested and their personal circumstances,” Remulla pointed out.
Remulla then chided Romero and his colleagues for already taking sides on the issue and calling for its investigation.
“Parang hindi pantay ang labanan at kumakampi tayo ng hindi ibinibigay ang lahat ng dapat malaman ng kapulungang ito; tayo magdedesisyon hindi lang sa emosyon kundi dahil sa katotohanan ng pangyayari, na sa Ingles ay tinatawag na factual antecedents surrounding the case,” Remulla said.
On further questioning by Remulla, Romero also admitted he is also unaware if the USC seminary housing the rescued youths has any permit from the Department of Education (DepEd) to operate as a school for Lumads or if the curriculum it is using for the purpose is also government-approved. “I have no knowledge of that,” Romero admitted.
“It is important for us to know if the school has a permit from DepEd,” Remulla reminded his junior colleague.
Again, Romero’s demonstration of ignorance is despite the fact that a day before his privilege speech, DepEd Region 7 director, Salustiano Jimenez, in a report filed by the Philippine News Agency (PNA), confirmed that USC has no approved curriculum nor a permit to operate as an IP school.
Jimenez further warned that as “illegal students,” whatever the IP students achieved can never be credited to them by DepEd.