In Manila, reports of police interference during the grand house-to-house campaign of Eduardo Gado who is running for councilorship in District 1, Manila.
“It was early morning when we saw the police. They said they found out there was going to be a rally. But we were just sweeping the area because of TUPAD. We were surprised when we were told to go to the barangay because they said they wanted to talk to us,” said Jenny Cablaida of Gabriela Happyland.
Cablaida along with two TUPAD volunteers were also helping during the grand house-to-house to cook for their lunch, but it was suddenly interrupted when they saw police and military personnel roamed around their community.
“We were supposed to have a boodle fight, but it didn’t happen because people got scared,” she added.
At the barangay, more than 15 police along with their chairman and tanod were present. One of the police officers spoke to them, saying they were alarmed because there is Gabriela in their area.
“If it weren’t for Gabriela, we wouldn’t have been able to participate in TUPAD. They also asked what we were doing upstairs and whether we were holding a meeting. We said we were just preparing food.” Cablaida asserted.
Some residents have also heard stories, implicating Gabriela as members of the New Peoples’ Army (NPA).
According to local residents, they saw police officers who went to the Brgy. 104 in Tondo and spoke with the chairman the night before the house-to-house campaign. They informed the barangay about a memo, indicating that there was a rally planned for tomorrow at San Bartolome St., the current headquarters of Makabayan Manila.
On the morning of November 23, two to four police were seen roaming around the street corners near the headquarters. One local resident even saw two police attempting to enter the headquarters office but were immediately blocked by the gate. Two CCTVs were also modified which are now aimed at the office, monitoring who comes and goes.
Residents also saw more than 20 military uniformed personnel and police officers in blue uniforms who were stationed in the areas of JP Rizal, Maginoo St., and Roxas.
“We were scared, and that fear remains. And there’s the constant worry that while we’re sweeping, they might arrest us. We have families and children who are concerned for us,” said Cablaida.
The police presence remained in the community even after the day of Makabayan Manila’s house-to-house. There were also intelligence agents seen around the headquarters who kept returning to the gate four times, taking pictures and asking local members of Gabriela Women’s Party (GWP) about the equipment inside the office.
Gabriela helped in assisting more than 40 women in accessing TUPAD or the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers, a program under the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) that provides emergency employment for displaced, underemployed, and seasonal workers. Through this program, these women were able to start their livelihoods and secure much-needed income. This initiative also became the foundation for establishing their Gabriela chapter in Happyland to foster unity and empowerment among the women in the community.
“The importance of Gabriela is in our unity. We really need to work together so that whatever we aim to do, we can solve it collectively. When there are suggestions, such as training programs for our improvement and progress, we work on them together,” Cablaida shared.
“Amidst repression and attacks, the people only ought to rise and resist. We urge our fellow Filipino to stand up against all forms of violations of human rights and threats to our democracy. This reign of terror will not last. We will not stop fighting for a better future for our country. Let us continue the fight until the victory of the people and the existence of a society that values labor, fair wages and benefits, food security, and social justice,” said Makabayan NCR in a statement.
