Heading home after joining the May Day mobilization, Ken Mark Ambay, 20, a student from the University of the Philippines- Manila and coordinator of Kabataan Partylist and his companions were surprised when five armed men suddenly accosted them and handcuffed Ambay. Raymond Palatino, first nominee of Kabataan Party-list, said that this is a clear case of harassment.

BY ZOFIA LEAL
Bulatlat
Vol. VII, No. 13 May 6- 12, 2007

Heading home after joining the May Day mobilization, Ken Mark Ambay, 20, a student from the University of the Philippines-Manila and coordinator of Kabataan Partylist and his companions were surprised when five armed men suddenly accosted them and handcuffed Ambay.

According to Joward Dionisio, one of Ambay’s companions, they were in front of a fast food store near Morayta when the incident happened. They tried to help Ambay but two men brought out their pistols and aimed their guns at them.

“When we questioned them why they handcuffed Ambay and why they are taking him, they threatened to shoot anyone who would come near and help Ken,” said Marice Hermosa, also a UP Manila student and one of Ambay’s companions.

Ambay was brought to Manila Police Station 4. When Ambay’s companions asked what charges were being filed against him, the policemen merely replied that they were not the complainants.

Ambay was then brought to the Ospital ng Maynila for medico-legal examination. The examination report indicated that bruises were found at his back and elbows.

Following the medico-legal examination, Ambay was brought to the Manila Police Headquarters at United Nations Avenue.

After several hours, a man, with an intravenous (IV) line supposedly attached to him, suddenly appeared and said that he was the complainant. He claimed that Ambay was one of the twenty-five men that allegedly mauled him during the rally at Liwasang Bonifacio.

The companions of Ambay explained that no such incident or mauling happened during the rally.

The supposed complainant later identified himself as PO2 Raul Gumiran.

Media persons present during the supposed complainant’s appearance noticed that the IV line was only taped on his arm and it was not even dripping.

Leni Valeriano, a para-legal volunteer who assisted Ambay, said that the IV line was faked to make it appear that the alleged assault resulted to grave injury and to justify the man’s delayed appearance. Almost five hours had passed since Ambay’s arrest when the supposed complainant appeared. Valeriano also said that the man was probably pretending to be a police officer but may be from the military because he was assisted by soldiers during his appearance.

One of the arresting officers who earlier said that they were not the complainants then claimed that Ambay hit him during the arrest.

“I could never have assaulted any policeman during the rally because it was a very peaceful demonstration. If I have unintentionally hurt the arresting officers, I’m sorry but it was only natural for a person to resist when he is being grabbed and arrested for no reason at all,” Ambay said.

By the morning of May 2, Ambay was brought for inquest at the Manila City Hall. Ambay’s counsels from the legal office of the University of the Philippines-Manila appealed to the City Prosecutor to review the case. Ambay was initially charged with assault on person of authority.

Ambay was released last May 3 with no case filed against him. They are now planning to file a counter charge of illegal arrest and grave threat against the arresting officers.

Raymond Palatino, Kabataan Party-list first nominee said, “This is a clear case of harassment against Kabataan Party-list. Their accusation against our coordinator Ken Ambay is baseless and fabricated, and is intended to harass our members and coordinators. We fear that this might lead to more cases of arbitrary arrest, detention and harassment against Kabataan and other progressive party-list groups who are known critics of this administration.” (Bulatlat.com)

 Save as PDF