Priest claims harassment; Iloilo police deny allegation

By Jennifer P. Rendon

 

A priest of the Philippine Independent Church (Iglesia Filipina Independiente), or Aglipayan Church claimed harassment while passing through a police checkpoint.

But the Iloilo Police Provincial Office denied the allegation of Very Reverend Marco Sulayao, who is also the chairperson of the Promotion of Church People’s Response (PCPR).

Sulayao claimed that he was driving his vehicle when he was flagged down in a police checkpoint 3:30 pm Sunday.

Sulayao said he was with his wife and three children. They came from his parish in Culasi, Ajuy after church service and were bound for home in Estancia.

He claimed that police officers took his ID and vehicle registration.

Two men in civilian clothes then approached and handed him an envelope containing mobile numbers – 09162403248 and 09513537216. The men told him to contact the numbers.

The two allegedly claimed to be from the “national office,” but did not elaborate which agency.

Sulayao claimed it was only his vehicle that was flagged down at the checkpoint.

 

NO HARASSMENT 

Colonel Paul Kenneth Lucas, Iloilo police director, said he ordered an investigation into Sulayao’s claims.

But he stressed that the priest was not harassed in the checkpoint.

Lucas said the PNP personnel manning the checkpoint in Batad, Iloilo on Sunday were members of the 2nd Iloilo Provincial Mobile Force Company.

The PNP personnel simply observed regular checkpoint procedures as they did to other motorists passing by the area, the investigation showed.

“Normal po ang practice sa checkpoint na tingnan ang Driver’s License at OR/CR ng sasakyan ng mga motorista,” Lucas said.

The Iloilo top cop said he ordered random checkpoints around the province in consonance with the ongoing implementation of Birada Semana, an initiative to intensify the law enforcement and anti-criminality operations.

Lucas said PNP personnel manning the checkpoint are constantly reminded to observe courtesy to motorists.

“Hindi binastos o iniskandalo ng ating pulis si Padre Sulayao, kaya nga daw nagtaka sila bakit may report na lumabas na hinaharass sya,” Lucas said.

Despite this, Lucas apologized to Sulayao if the checkpoint protocols caused him inconvenience.

But he stressed that, “in checkpoint areas, there are no VIPs.”

 

NOT THE FIRST TIME?

Sulayao claimed it was not a first that he was allegedly harassed by PNP operatives.

He claimed to have experienced the same in Negros Occidental while on his way to a clergy meeting of the IFI-National Priest Organization (IFI-NPO) on Jan. 30, 2019,

He allegedly saw uniformed police officers taking his photos while he was about to step off the bus in San Carlos City, Negros Occidental.

Sulayao said that what happened to him could have been part of the continued threats, harassment, and surveillance against activists in Panay.

On May 1, 2020, Sulayao and 41 other activists were arrested for attempting to hold a caravan to demand justice for the murder of Bayan Muna Iloilo City coordinator Jory Porquia.

Posters, including that of Sulayao’s photo and 30 more activists, were reportedly plastered in Iloilo City and Oton town last Aug 27 accusing them of being terrorists, extortionists, and members of the Communist Party of the Philippines and the New People’s Army.