By Anthony Giron
IMUS, Cavite – The Office of the Cavite Provincial Prosecutors has dismissed the case filed by the police against a 20-year-old activist who heckled President Duterte during the June 12 Independence Day celebration in Kawit “for lack of probable cause.”
Deputy Provincial Prosecutor Vivian M. Rojo approved the release of Francis Couiche Diarisco Rafael from detention with the findings and recommendation of Inquest Investigating Prosecutor Brian D. S. Novero on the case.
Cavite Provincial Mobile Force Company officers arrested Rafael as he was caught holding a small placard with the words bearing “Kapayapaan Para Sa Lahat At Lahat Para sa Kapayapaan” (Freedom For All And All For Freedom) as a group of nine other militant members chanted inimical to the Independence Day celebration in the first minute of President Duterte’s speech at the historical balcony of the General Emilio Aguinaldo Shrine.
Senior Superintendent William M. Segun, Cavite Police Provincial Office (PPO) director, confirmed that Rafael’s nine other companions scampered and have escaped during the incident.
Rafael reportedly is a member of Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) and a resident of Sta. Rosa, Laguna.
In the resolution approved, Prosecutor Novero said: “It is hereby submitted that the acts of allegedly committed by the respondent (Rafael) on the occasion of Independence Day celebration is merely part of his right to freedom of speech, of expression, or the right to peaceably assemble and petition the government for redress of grievances, rights which are guaranteed and protected by no less by the fundamental law of the land, the Philippine Constitution.”
