Benguet capital town cops links local journalist with NPA
LA TRINIDAD, BENGUET — La Trinidad town policemen in a facebook post on
June 5 linked a local journalist with the New People’s Army, irking local journalists and the Northern Dispatch who immediately condemned the irresponsible post.
Northern Dispatch immediately took the post of La Trinidad Municipal Police station maligning and associating Khim Abalos with the New People’s Army “as an attack against our outfit and freedom of the press.”
This action is not only worthy of strong condemnation but also puts the professionalism and integrity of the La Trinidad Police force into question, it said.
In the June 5 FB post, the La Trinidad police said: BABALA MGA BESHY: Huwag magtiwala at magpaloko sa step 1, 2,3 ni Khim Abalos!” Below the caption is a graphic illustration stating Step 1 as Arouse students’ anger towards the government; Step 2 as Organize rallies to expose potential student activists; and Step 3 as Mobilze students to join the NPA.
On the right side of the illustration is a photo of Abalos with a callout: “Beshy share ko sa inyo and daily routine ko.”
After several hours, the post by the La Trinidad police office was taken down when journalists in Baguio City and Benguet, who are officials and members of the PNP-Cordillera press corps began raising questions about the propriety of the post.
Northern Dispatch, which had since last year went online after it began printed publication in the 1980’s said it its statement, “as a law enforcement institution, we would like to assume that members of PNP La Trinidad are aware of the principle that accusers bear the burden of providing proof.”
Thus, as professionals who were trained in the rule of law and importance of material evidence, we demand that they provide concrete proof on their accusations against our staff that can hold in court. Without proof, the station should take down the post and issue a public apology.”
Northern Dispatch fumed, “red-tagging, in whatever medium, is not a joking matter. It is a dangerous accusation that merits attention. This practice of state forces linking groups and individuals to the armed revolutionary movement endangers the life of those maliciously accused.”
Experiences prove that malicious accusations eventually escalate to harassment, trumped-up charges and including extra-judicial killings, it said.
More, “red-tagging also affects the professional and personal life of the individuals.” It is an ordeal that takes a toll physically and mentally.
Thus, those who execute such acts should be held accountable for the dangers and damages it inflict to the victims, Kimberly Kitasol, Northern Dispatch’s editor in chief said. Kitasol is also a correspondent of a national daily newspaper and a national board member of the NUJP.
Kitasol vowed they will formally bring the matter to the attention of the police leadership and with the Commission on Human Rights, vowing, “We are ready to face the La Trinidad PNP in the said offices or any legal avenue to prove their case.”
Artemio A. Dumlao/ABN
