Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 11) — Vice presidential candidate Sen. Kiko Pangilinan denounced the police arrest of a number of campaign volunteers in Cavite who support his tandem with Vice President Leni Robredo.
“Kinukondena ko ang mga bulok at lumang taktika ng panunupil sa ating mga katropa,” he said in a statement on Friday.
[Translation: I condemn the rotten and old tactic of repression against our supporters.]
He called on the Philippine National Police not to use politics to suppress the peaceful campaigns and even vowed to provide legal assistance to Jonathan Mercado, spokesperson of Teatro Kabataan Mula sa Nayon, who was among those arrested.
On Thursday, Anakpawis Party-list said 12 of its members were arrested in Bacoor and Silang, Cavite. PNP Bacoor earlier told CNN Philippines that there were arrests made in the area with seven in custody, but that police were not aware the individuals were affiliated with Anakpawis.
The group pointed out that the arrests came after politicians including presidential bet Sen. Ping Lacson red-tagged Robredo-Pangilinan’s volunteers.
“That is the propaganda they are trying to spread. I hope the public and campaign volunteers will not believe them so easily,” Lacson said in a statement, adding that the arrests were drug-related.
Bacoor police also earlier said the arrests were made during an anti-drug buy-bust operation.
Lacson stood by his claim that there were members of the Communist Party of the Philippines who attended one of Robredo’s rallies.
Robredo’s camp has denied Lacson’s allegations, with her spokesperson Barry Gutierrez saying ‘this blatant and persistent red-tagging, masked as concern’ is a new low,” and urging supporters to “call out the lies.”
Robredo’s ally, senatorial candidate Sonny Trillanes, a former soldier, also said Lacson’s intelligence information is wrong and the source he is citing “is a fraud.”
