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About 20 uniformed police officers are seen in front of La Funeraria Rey in Pandacan, Manila, where the Baby River wake is located. / Photo by Kapatid
MANILA, Philippines – Human rights group Kapatid on Friday expressed concern about the presence of 20 police officers allegedly blocking visitors in the wake of Baby River, son of detained activist Reina Mae Nasino.
“ALERT: Around 20 police officers from Station 10 are deployed at La Funeraria Rey in Pandacan, Manila. They are barring people from entering and preventing people from seeing Baby River one last time, ”the Karapatan statement read.
In a separate statement, Karapatan Fides spokesperson Lim appealed to the police to allow Nasino to cry for his son without interference from the police.
“We hope that what happened last Wednesday does not happen today. You only bury your dead once. If Queen Mae wants to hug her son’s coffin tightly, let her do it. If you want to hug your family for comfort, let her do it. They are small things compared to what this government did to him, ”Lim said.
In a text message to INQUIRER.net, the director of the Manila Police District (MPD), Police Brigadier General Rolando Miranda, said that Pandacan police personnel are only implementing health regulations.
“Hindi naman sila bina-block. Iniimplement lang ang social distancing. (They are not blocking anyone. They are just implementing social distancing), ”he said in response to the group’s accusations.
Earlier, the National Union of People’s Lawyers (NUPL) said they will sue the staff of the Bureau of Administration of Prisons and Penology (BJMP) for creating tension when Nasino appeared at the wake.
An altercation occurred after Nasino’s police escort reportedly prevented journalists from interviewing her.
The Manila Regional Court of First Instance shortened Nasino’s visit to his son’s wake from three days to just three hours over two days from 1 pm to 4 pm on October 14 and 16.
The court amended its order after it was informed by the Manila City Jail that it only has limited staff to escort Nasino during his leave.
Baby River will be buried this Friday afternoon at the Manila North Cemetery, Karapatan said.
/ MUF
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