Himantayon nga Kagay-anon

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Philippines — Some 15 members of a nongovernment group called “Mamamayan Ayaw sa Aerial Spraying” (Citizens Against Aerial Spraying in banana plantations) were arrested Tuesday afternoon while they were singing Christmas carols during a protest action in front of the Court of Appeals building here.

The arrest happened on the eve of the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Senior Inspector Nerio Geroy, chief of Police Precinct 5, said the protesters were not arrested but merely invited for questioning.

But lawyer Jan Perry Eugenio, an official of the group Balaod Mindanao, said the anti-aerial spraying activists were peacefully holding their protest and were just exercising their right to free speech.

He said they were studying the possibility of filing charges against those who arrested the farmer-members of the anti-aerial spraying group.

“The arrest was illegal and the people were harassed. Right now, we are deliberating on filing charges against the arresting officers.

Non-government organizations have been campaigning for a ban on aerial spraying in banana plantations in Mindanao, saying the chemicals used are highly toxic and have long-term negative effects on the health of communities surrounding the plantations.

I witnessed them while they were singing Christmas carols during a protest action in front of the Court of Appeals building yesterday. I was on my way to Puntod area at my friend’s house when I pass by the Court of Appeals building and saw these protesters wearing printed uniform t-shirts that says “Dili Kami Peste!”, one carrying a guitar and among others brought lanterns made of newspapers with prints about their concerns on aerial spraying. Eversince they started this protest actions last month, I always witness them everytime I went to my friend’s house in Puntod area. But until now they’re still there voicing out their cry over the earial Spraying. So, what really concerns me a lot is that… is there any actions being made towards this? I hope in the coming days, there are fair actions being made to justify these protesters.