The Bacolod Sangguniang Panlungsod has been asked to deny or reject the proposed budget requested by the Bacolod police for the Internal Security Operation Plan of Bacolod City by the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan-Negros.

Acting Bacolod police director Senior Supt. Ronilo Quebrar has requested for a budget of P16.2 million for the proposed security plan of the city in order to address the problems of insurgency, terrorism and other serious threats to the security of Bacolod.

Bayan secretary general Felipe Levy Gelle Jr. said before the SP yesterday that they condemn the identification of their group by the police as an umbrella organization of the Communist Party of the Philippines/New People's Army. He said the security plan identifies Bayan-Negros as an enemy of the people of Bacolod, who will be subjected to neutralization and counter-action by the police. Gelle said the document issued by the police will legitimize the physical attacks or neutralization of the police against Bayan members and will justify political killings in Bacolod.

He said they plan to meet with Quebrar and the Mayor, who endorsed the document as urgent to the SP, on the matter.

Karapatan-Negros, in a press statement said, the deputization of barangay tanods and the formation of Police Auxiliary Units to assist the police against insurgency will further result in wanton abuses and violation of people's civil and political rights.

Councilor Ana Marie Palermo said the SP will act on the correspondence after a committee hearing is conducted by the Committee on Police, Security and Jail Management, chaired by Councilor Al Victor Espino, with the police.

Palermo said she believes the police should show their worth first before requesting for additional budget.

Councilor Jocelle Batapa-Sigue said Bacolod is a highly urbanized city with a different kind of criminality. She said she would like to see funds going to more established programs - knowledge and capacity building on the part of the law enforcers.

Councilor Lyndon Caña said the tagging of Bayan Negros as an umbrella organization of the CPP/NPA makes illegal what the Constitution and the law allows. He said Congress recognizes the party list system.

Councilor Jude Thaddeus Sayson said the city has supported Bayan in many of its activities and some of its members have been active in his committee (Urban Poor, Housing and Resettlement) in helpinsg negotiate with landowners.*CGS

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