Pimentel: MPD brass liable for violating Satur's right to free speech

Genuine Opposition senatorial candidate Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel today
condemned the order of the chief of the Manila Police District to ban
interviews with Bayan Muna Representative Satur Ocampo saying this
is a blatant violation of Ocampo's constitutional right to free
speech.

Yesterday, Senior Superintendent Danilo Abarzosa imposed a ban on
face-to-face interviews with Satur Ocampo citing security reasons.

Pimentel said the MPD chief should be held legally liable for
illegally curtailing Satur Ocampo's freedom to speak, a guarantee that
is protected by the constitution.

Let it be clear that Ka Satur, while in detention, has not lost any of
his constitutional rights, Pimentel stressed.

Pimentel cited Article 33 of the civil code which holds any public
officer liable for damages if he obstructs, defeats, violates or
impedes a person's civil liberties, principally the constitutional
right to free speech.

Pimentel, a human rights lawyer, reminded the MPD director that Satur
Ocampo is only under detention and under the temporary custody of the
Manila Police District, so there is no justifiable reason to strip
Ocampo of his basic and constitutional right to speak freely.

Pimentel likewise deplored the reason for banning interviews on Satur
Ocampo, describing it as flimsy.

"How can interview with newsmen be a security risk for Satur Ocampo?"
Pimentel asked.

"In the first place, Ocampo is confined within the perimeters of the
Manila Police District, reputed to be 'Manila's Finest'," Pimentel
said.

"Is the Manila Police District saying that they cannot secure persons
who are right within the four walls of their compound?" Pimentel said.

Pimentel said that the government has realized its blunder in
oppressing Ka Satur, which has only elicited sympathy from the public,
that is why it has banned further interviews with the media.

But their decision to ban interviews on Ka Satur would only put them
in greater legal trouble, Pimentel said.
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