On February 1, Police Senior Master Sergeant John Teston was killed during an encounter with suspected members of New People’s Army (NPA) in the town of San Miguel in Catanduanes.
Following the incident, the Catanduanes Police Provincial Office (PPO) organized an indignation rally to protest the “inhumane acts and evil works” of NPA. As captured in the live video the Catanduanes PPO posted, a speaker in the said gathering tagged Kabataan Partylist as an “NPA recruiter” and “fake human rights advocate.”
CLAIM:
Catanduanes provincial police tags Kabataan Partylist as “NPA recruiter” and “fake human rights advocate.”
RATING:
FALSE
FACT:
The official statement of the Bicol police on the incident that led to Teston’s death recounted details about the clash, but there was no mention or proof that can link the encounter to Kabataan Partylist, a duly-registered partylist organization currently holding a seat at the House of Representatives.
Kabataan Partylist Rep. Sarah Jane Elago has been frequently red-tagged and falsely linked to the New People’s Army. The claim that the partylist is a “fake human rights advocate” runs counter to the fact that Rep. Elago is one of the authors of House Bill 240 or the “Human Rights Defenders Bill.”
WHY IT MATTERS:
As of writing, the Catanduanes PPO live broadcast has over 4,900 views, 138 reactions, and 74 shares.– Mark Terrenz Fulgar
Altermidya Network is part of #FactsFirstPH which brings together various sectors that are committed to promoting truth in the public space, and exacting accountability on those who harm it with lies. For those interested to join the initiative, email info@factsfirst.ph.
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