A Baguio court has denied the petition to issue a temporary restraining order and writ of preliminary injunction, which would prevent the Police Regional Office-Cordillera from implementing three resolutions of the Regional Law Enforcement Coordinating Council (Rlecc) concerning insurgency and supposed left-leaning personalities.
In an order dated March 10, the city’s Regional Trial Court Branch 6 said the petition filed by United Church of Christ of the Philippines Bishop Emeritus, and concurrent UCCP Baguio senior pastor and general secretary of the National Council of Churches in the Philippines Reuel Norman Marigza is premature as the Rlecc resolutions were referred to the Regional Peace and Order Council (RPOC) where local chief executives have the option of adopting or rejecting the resolutions.
“The petitioner’s fear is premature as there is no concrete threat of injury yet,” the court said.
The court meanwhile, will continue to hear the petition to nullify the assailed resolutions.
These resolutions are Resolution 1 s. 2021, which adopted a resolution of the RPOC that encouraged Cordilleran communities to consider it a dishonor when family members, members of a community, and members of an ethnic group join the NPA and its allied front organization.
Resolution 2 s. 2021, appealing to local chief executives in the region to pass a resolution or ordinance requiring cause-oriented groups that intend to organize mass gathering to seek concurrence of the police or military in their area.
Resolution 4 s. 2021, enjoining law enforcement agencies and representatives of local government units to conduct tokhang to known left-leaning personalities in government, media, and other entities.
The Free Legal Assistance Group, private law practitioners and the Baguio-Benguet chapter of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines in earlier statements said these resolutions of the Rlecc are unconstitutional.
Meanwhile, reports said Baguio Mayor Benjamin Magalong, who is also the RPOC chair, has advised the Police Regional Office-Cordillera to review Rlecc Resolution 4-2021, saying there are certain aspects of resolution that need to be revised to be acceptable to stakeholders and Cordillera residents. – Rimaliza A. Opiña
April 26, 2024
