PNP to Makabayan bloc members: Nothing to be afraid of if not doing anything illegal

December 6, 2020

The Philippine National Police on Sunday said that members of the Makabayan bloc should not be afraid if they are not doing anything against the law.

Brig. Gen. Ildebrandi Usana, police spokesperson, in a radio interview, said authorities have been going after the lawless elements based on evidence.

"If there is no evidence against them (Makabayan bloc members), there is nothing to be afraid of,” he said.

Usana denied that the PNP has been monitoring militant groups despite recent operations that resulted in the arrest and even death of some of their members.

“It’s not monitoring, it depends on the operatives on how well they can generate pieces of evidence against them. If there is no solid evidence, then there’s nothing to be worried about,” he said.

“Those who were arrested have warrants...it just so happens that they were not caught right away but because of the intensified ways of our law enforcers to find them, (it) resulted in their continuous arrest on the basis of warrants of arrest,” he added.

Amanda Lacaba Echanis, daughter of slain National Democratic Front of the Philippines peace consultant and Anakpawis chairman Randy Echanes, was nabbed in Barangay Carupian, Baggao, Cagayan. She was arrested last Wednesday and charged for illegal possession of firearms and explosives.

Last Monday, President Rodrigo Duterte accused Bayan Muna Rep. Carlos Zarate, his party-list group, Gabriela, and other Makabayan bloc members in the House of Representatives as communists. Ella Dionisio/DMS