Being jailed for supporting the urban poor struggle only made him stronger

Being jailed for supporting the urban poor struggle only made him stronger

By JANESS ANN J. ELLAO
Bulatlat.com

MANILA — During the first year commemoration of the violent demolition of homes in Corazon de Jesus, San Juan last January 23, Mark Louie Aquino, 26, spokesperson and second nominee of Kabataan Parylist, received the loudest cheers from the residents who graced the event. When he mentioned that he is facing 14 court cases for helping the residents during the recent demolition, the cheers got even louder.

Aquino is among the 24 residents and “non-resident activists” who were arrested for protecting their homes from the demolition team last January 11, 2012, a few days before the first year commemoration of the demolition last year. The recent demolition, according to progressive groups, is among the most violent in the history of the urban poor struggle in the country.

Residents, with only their stones, bottles and molotov bombs at hand, confronted armed members of the police and Special Weapons and Tactics unit (SWAT), a bulldozer and a water cannon. The homes of 123 affected families would supposedly give way to the proposed San Juan government center, where its new city hall, patterned after the United States’ White House, is to be built.

“I was there as a mass leader,” Aquino said. He added that he did not join the residents in throwing stones or bottles or even molotov bombs.

Aquino said he was near the village hall, cautioning the other unorganized residents from doing anything “spontaneous” that might provoke unnecessary violence. These residents were not facing demolition then but went to the streets to help their neighbors protect their homes.

The demolition team, after firing a canister of teargas on the residents, managed to get through the people’s barricade. Residents scampered to salvage their belongings. Aquino then went to the narrow street of Corazon de Jesus in front of the community to console the residents, mostly mothers and children, who were crying while the demolition team ravaged their homes.

“I told them not to cry because the struggle is not yet over,” Aquino said. He added that he was also telling some youth not to be too “emotional” when approaching the police. “Some of them were already cursing the police and we do not want to provoke them. But they could not contain their emotions.”

A few minutes later, Aquino noticed that the police were hitting two activists while they were being arrested. “I told the police that they can just turn them over to the precinct instead of hitting them,” he said, “But Arcallana,” referring to San Juan Police Supt. Tomas Arcallana, “turned to me and said that I, too, should be arrested.”

As seen in a video taken by Tudla Productions, Aquino tried to run from the police. But the police still got hold of him. “I was kicked, beaten and hit,” he said.

Along with Aquino, the following were also arrested: Manuel Villoria, 25, Rogelio Rosales, 30, Louie Pedroso, 15, Salvador Gargarin, 55, Edwin Crisologo, 22, Jesus Buallo, Mark Dave Avestus, 20, Jaime Gregorio, 24, Senen Buban. 23, Louiche Nepeito, 17, Jay-ar Brillante, 16, Narciso Alberto, 62, Luke Bagangan, 17, Rodel Tejolan, 17, Roger Gabino and Abel Bantulo...... MORE

Source:  Bulatlat.com

URL: http://bulatlat.com/main/2012/02/10/being-jailed-for-supporting-the-urban-poor-struggle-only-made-him-stronger/