PALPARAN HIT FOR SUBJECTING CENTRAL LUZON RESIDENTS
TO INDIGNITIES FOR NOT CARRYING CEDULAS

Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Nene Q. Pimentel, Jr. (PDP-Laban) today urged human rights lawyers to come to the rescue of residents in Central Luzon provinces who are being harassed and subjected to indignities by soldiers under Maj. Gen. Jovito Palparan, chief of the Armys 7th Infantry division, for failing to show their cedula or community tax certificate (CTC).

Pimentel also assailed the leadership of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) for justifying Palparans policy of intimidation against residents for non-possession of cedula which has created a reign of terror in the communities.

Possession of cedula does not prove loyalty to the state or to the government. It is not required by law except mainly for documentation purposes and maybe to show residence, he said.

Arresting or detaining people because they have no cedula is plain harassment and may even constitute illegal arrest.

Pimentel called on the Integrated Bar of the Philippines to come to the rescue of our citizens who are being oppressed by those who wield the gun on behalf of the government.