Instead of visiting students at home and grilling them over with subpoenas for joining anti-corruption protests, the Philippine National Police (PNP) should focus on going after corrupt officials, University of the Philippines (UP) campus leaders said on Thursday.
University Student Council Chairperson Joaquin Buenaflor, a political science student, said he’s the 4th youth leader issued with a subpoena for joining the protest against corruption on September 21.
Buenaflor said that it's quick that the PNP takes action when it comes to the youth, but acts deaf and blind for corrupt officials.
"Napakabilis kumilos ng PNP pagdating sa paggipit sa aming mga kabataan, pero pagdating sa mga dambuhalang magnanakaw sa ating bayan, ang PNP ay tila bingi-bingihan, nagbubulag-bulagan, patuloy na nanahimik," Buenaflor said.
Meanwhile, Buenaflor said the police have failed to serve the subpoena after his relatives had declined to receive and sign the document.
He also cited that the government is going “delulu” or in a delusional state into thinking that “a simple paper or subpoena” would frighten the youth from joining protests against corruption.
“PNP, doon po kayo mag-angas sa mga mandarambong," he said, later noting that no contractor or lawmaker has yet been arrested over the flood-works controversy.
"Doon kayo sa bahay ng mga kurakot pumunta,” he added.
(It would be best for the PNP to show plunderers how tough they are. They should go to the homes of the corrupt instead.)
PNP had also sent subpoenas to Polytechnic University of the Philippines student council president Tiffany Brillante, and campus journalist Jacob Baluyot.
The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) issued the said summons as part of their investigation on violence that happened in Mendiola and nearby streets last month.
Police have so far detained nearly 200 people in the altercation, including UP student Mattheo Wovi Villanueva of the Student Christian Movement of the Philippines.
Villanueva said police in gear suits assaulted and beat him and others “for almost three hours” while inside a tent in Mendiola.
Allegations of abuse were denied by the Manila Police District, stating they even provided them with food and medicine.
Villanueva would still join protests despite what happened.
"Wag kayo matakot; magalit kayo (Don't be afraid; be angry.),” he firmly said.
