Mountain Province folk hold indignation rally over death of student under police custody
Mountain Province residents hold an indignation rally in the capital
town Bontoc on November 12, 2014, calling for justice over the death of
20-year-old college student Stephen Galidan, allegedly a victim of
police brutality. (Photo courtesy of Ricky Samidan)
InterAksyon.com
The online news portal of TV5
BAGUIO CITY – At least 1,000 residents of Mountain Province, led
by provincial and municipal officials, on Wednesday held an indignation
rally condemning the death of a 20-year-old college student arrested by
policemen for allegedly violating a curfew ordinance.The online news portal of TV5
Stephen Bosleng Galidan, a sophomore taking up Business Administration at the Mountain Province State Polytechnic College, was picked up by the police on November 4 for allegedly loitering in the town with fellow students who scampered when the police were about to approach them, according to a Bontoc police report.
The police report said that while Galidan was being brought to the police station, the student jumped out of the patrol car and landed on the road.
Bontoc police further said in the report that Galidan was brought to the hospital where he died the following day.
The rally against police brutality, considered as the biggest in the decade, was conducted by students of Mountain Province State Polytechnic College and attended by provincial officials, led by Gov. Leonard Mayaen, as well as municipal officials from the towns of Bauko, Sabangan, and Bontoc.
Mayaen told the rally participants at the plaza in the capital town Bontoc to be vigilant to contain the excesses of police, who tainted the name of their institution.
“Let us not allow such excesses, let us be vigilant,” Mayaen said.
He called for a fair and impartial investigation of the five policemen said to be involved in the custody and resultant death of Galidan, a resident of the vegetable-producing village of Monamon Sur, Bauko.
Bauko Mayor Abraham Akilit said an investigation should lead to the filing of appropriate charges against the policemen.
Akilit asked why the police, who should be protecting the people, are the ones involved in the loss of an innocent life.
“If the police cannot assure security for our youth, we will bring home our 400 youth who are studying here in Bontoc,” said Akilit, adding that “those involved should be punished and jailed in Muntinlupa.”
Abi Batawang, an elder, said the rally was not against the police force per se but a call for justice for Galidan, an innocent youth who died allegedly due to police brutality.
The youth group Mountain Province Youth Alliance (MPYA) hit the police for saying in their report that Galidan died when he jumped out from the police car and hit the road.
Marceline Pilala, MPYA spokesperson, scored the police story as a move to cover up their atrocities.
She urged authorities to hand down an administrative suspension on the policemen involved so that witnesses can come out to reveal the truth without fear.
Meanwhile, Police Regional Office-Cordillera Director Isagani Nerez said they have secured a witness’ statement that Galidan was maltreated and that the five police officers have been suspended to pave the way for an investigation.
Galidan was buried on Saturday, November 8, in his village in Monamon Sur. #
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