MANILA, Philippines – Bayan Muna partylist Representative Carlos Zarate branded as “another harassment against the left” a case filed by a police officer in connection with participation in protest activities during the ASEAN Summit in November last year.
On Tuesday, January 30, Zarate’s office received a copy of the subpoena from Manila’s senior assistant city prosecutor, Anne Geraldine Agar, based on the complaint of Police Officer 1 Ariel Miranda Ortega and several others.
The complaint was for direct assault (violation of Article 148 of Revised Penal Code) with physical injury; resistance and disobedience to a person in authority (violation of Art. 151, RPC); and violation of Batas Pambansa 880 or the Public Assembly Act.
The subpoena was for a January 29 hearing.
However, the notice reached Zarate’s office on January 30, ordering him to present a counter affidavit and answer clarificatory questions.
Zarate and the left-leaning lawmakers form the Makabayan bloc have been critical of the Duterte administration on various issues, including extra-judicial killings, charter change and Benham Rise. They have also called for investigation on several controversies at the House of Representatives.
