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ACT Professors Rep. Francia Castro. FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines – Calling the arrest “double standard,” a lawmaker demands the immediate release of a teacher arrested for a social media post offering a $ 50 million reward to anyone who kills President Rodrigo Duterte.
“We demand the immediate release of teacher Ronnel Mas,” ACT Teachers representative France Castro said in a statement Wednesday condemning the arrest of Mas, a resident of the city of Masinloc in Zambales.
According to Castro, the arrest reeked of “double standards” when he pointed out that Duterte himself had issued several threats and had given orders to shoot to kill the army.
“President Duterte has been threatening to kill and even gives shoot-to-kill orders to critics, activists and the poor that have resulted in many deaths and harassment of human rights defenders,” Castro said in a statement.
“Master Ronnel’s arrest reeks of double standards and he refuses to follow due process. It is hypocritical law enforcement when ordinary people are arrested, harassed and threatened for posting on social media while the president continues his rant against his critics, “added the lawmaker.
In addition, Castro criticized the way in which Mas was interrogated by an agent of the National Investigation Office (NBI) while on their way to Manila.
The interrogation was recorded and uploaded to social networks.
“They should not coerce, much less advertise an admission, especially if the admission was made without an attorney,” Castro said.
“Did the officers who arrested him even warn Master Ronnel of his rights to remain silent and a lawyer when they arrested him? They clearly violated the custody rights of Master Ronnel, “he added.
On May 5, Mas reportedly posted a tweet saying, “I will give [a] 50 million reward to whoever kills Duterte #NoToABSCBNShutDown “.
But Castro said the publication of Mas “does not represent a serious and real threat to the President,” since “he does not have 50 million to pay as a reward.”
“Teacher Ronnel is already the third teacher who was arrested during the quarantine period for expressing his frustrations and dissatisfaction with the management of the COVID-19 pandemic by the Duterte administration,” Castro said.
“Teachers, church people, volunteer workers and activists have been victims of harassment, threats and arrests during the enhanced community quarantine,” added the legislator.
Arming the law
Castro said the government is “constantly arming the law” against those who point out the government’s shortcomings in addressing the pandemic.
“It uses intensified military solutions to reduce people’s basic democratic rights and attack those who demand a systematic medical solution and adequate socio-economic aid to try to hide their failures, failures and deficiencies,” said Castro.
Since then, Mas has apologized for the publication on social media, but Attorney General Menardo Guevarra said an apology will not exempt an individual from being prosecuted.
Mas faces a complaint about Incitement to Sedition in relation to the Law 10175 of the Republic or the Prevention of Cybercrime Law of 2012, and the violation of Law 6713 of the Republic or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for public officials and employees.
JPV
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