Anakpawis’ distribution of relief goods in Bulacan ”unauthorized”

April 20, 2020

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Monday said  leftist group  Anakpawis  violated the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) in Luzon when several of its members broke the “stay at home policy” and conducted unauthorized travel outside Metro Manila.

According to DILG Undersecretary and spokesperson Jonathan Malaya the group tried to organize a mass gathering in Norzagaray, Bulacan in the guise of distributing relief goods.

“Breaking the quarantine rules is breaking the law… You are only allowed to go out of residence to buy food, medicines or for medical emergencies. By doing this obvious propaganda stunt, Anakpawis has placed the lives of the people of Bulacan at risk,” Malaya said.

He said the group was only able to pass through some PNP (Philippine National Police) checkpoints by placing “Authorized Food Pass” in the windshield of their jeep and mentioning the name of former Anakpawis Partylist Rep. Ariel Casilao who is no longer an incumbent member of Congress.

“They even name dropped a former partylist congressman but at least they were stopped in a checkpoint in Bigte, Norzagaray, Bulacan,” he said.

“We wish to remind Anakpawis that the virus cannot spread by itself. It has no legs. It is people that spread the virus. You give us no choice but to file charges against you. We don’t have special treatment even if you are a congressman. All violators will be facing charges,” he added.

Malaya said the Philippine National Police (PNP) investigation revealed  the true purpose of the unauthorized travel outside of Metro Manila was to conduct a mass gathering in the form of a teach-in or propaganda work against the government because numerous tarpaulins, pamphlets, and propaganda materials were found inside the jeepney.

“If that is really a relief operation, why don’t they coordinate with the IATF (Inter-Agency Task Force), NTF (National Task Force) COVID or even with the local government unit (LGU) of Norzagaray, Bulacan? They will be approved if their purpose is correct,” he said.

Malaya said the presence of numerous propaganda materials bared the true purpose of their  travel.

He said the 50 packs of relief goods were turned over to the barangay captain of Bigte while the propaganda materials were confiscated as evidence for court proceedings.

“Anakpawis will have their day in court. The DILG assures them of due process. They will just explain in the court,” Malaya said.

In a separate statement, PNP condemned the wanton disregard for public health protocols by members of the militant group.

Last Sunday, elements of the Norzagaray PNP flagged down a green jeepney with six persons on board.

Among those arrested for violating the quarantine are Karl Mae San Juan of Project 6, Quezon City; Marlon Lester Gueta of Barangay 172, 1422, Caloocan City; Robero Medel of Kamias, Quezon City; Eriberto Peña Jr. of San Jose Del Monte City, Bulacan; Raymar Guaves of Bahay Toro, Project 8, Quezon City; and Tobi Estrada of Malingap St., Quezon City.

Further information revealed two  are students from the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) who were lured by other Anakpawis members to join.

“It is terribly disturbing that this organization which styles itself as pro-people advocates of public welfare will rather promote its anti-government ideology at the expense of public health during this critical period of a national health crisis,” said PNP chief Police General Archie Francisco Gamboa.

“It is a matter of life or death that we need to make this quarantine work, but incidents of quarantine violation like this make containment efforts against the virus less effective and detrimental to public health,” Gamboa added.

Violators will be charged for violation of the Bayanihan to Heal As One Act and subjected to inquest proceedings Monday for violation of Section 9, Art. 1132 (Non-cooperation of persons), Art. 151 (resistance and disobedience to a person in authority) of the Revised Penal Code in relation to IATF directive dated April 2, 2020 and Department of Health's Department Order No. 2020-0090 and Executive Order No. 922, Sec. 4 (all citizen are urged to act within the bounds of law).

Casilao will also be charged for usurpation of authority under Art. 177 of the Revised Penal Code.

Violation of RA 11332 has a fine of not less than P20,000 but not more than P50,000 or imprisonment of not less than one month but not more than six months, or both, at the discretion of the proper court. Ella Dionisio/DMS