The cops should
have known better

Published by the Visayan Daily Star Publications, Inc.

NINFA R. LEONARDIA Editor-in-Chief & President

CARLA P. GOMEZ Editor GUILLERMO TEJIDA III Desk Editor NANETTE L. GUADALQUIVER Busines Editor ERIC T. LORETIZO Sports Editor (On Leave) RENE GENOVE Bureau Chief, Dumaguete MAJA P. DELY Advertising Coordinator

CARLOS ANTONIO L. LEONARDIA Administrative Officer

Did the Quezon City cops fall into a trap?

Yesterday's big news was the arrest of a member of Congress who was marching with celebrators of International Women's Day in Metro Manila. The conscientious policemen, claiming that the marchers were doing their thing without the required permit, hauled off the woman member of Congress to the police station in a police van, and in the most undignified manner, she says.

As she narrated the incident to television audiences yesterday, Rep. Risa Hontiveros Baraquel was unceremoniously taken from the ranks of celebrators with a male companion by law enforcers who told her that they were only "inviting", not arresting her.

Perhaps the cops did not know that Baraquel was a member of the august body called Congress, and that, as such, she could not be arrested just like any shouting, placard-waving street protestors? The cops also, apparently, did not know what they were arresting her for, because, according to her account, they did not appear sure of what crime she and her group were committing.

Now the shoe is on the other foot, because it looks as if Baraquel has more cause to charge her arrestors than they have against her. As disclosed in some interviews yesterday, her group did apply for a permit, but it had not been acted on by the authorities concerned. According to the law, it was disclosed, an application not approved or denied within two days is deemed granted.

The cops, or their superiors should have known better than to tangle with the women out to assert their rights on their day. Maybe they forgot how it had been even in Biblical days, from Eve to Delilah, to Jezebel, Mary and Martha. Or even up to their own commander-in-chief, Gloria.*