Gordon joins call for probe of 'Bloody Sunday' killings in Calabarzon

Senator Richard Gordon has joined the call of his fellow senators in calling for an investigation into the series of raids in the offices and homes of activists in Calabarzon over the weekend which left at least nine individuals dead and six others arrested.

In a statement, Gordon sought for a prompt investigation on what has dubbed as "Bloody Sunday" incident, and enjoined other senators to speak and act on these cases.

The probe, he said, should be conducted by the Senate itself of the Philippine National Police Internal Affairs Service.

Gordon expressed anger on the joint operations of the PNP and the Armed Forces of the Philippines which resulted in the killing and arrest of activists.

“When they have surrounded the house and they have a search warrant, the search warrant is not a license to come in and go in with guns ablazing," he said.

“It does not do well for our armed forces and police that these things are happening," he added, also referring to the stabbing of human rights lawyer Atty. Angelo Karlo Guillen, and the encounter that killed Calbayog City, Samar Mayor Ronaldo Aquino and five others.

Gordon likewise reprimanded Lt. Gen. Antonio Parlade Jr. over his "red-tagging" statements, warning that soldiers might follow these directives strictly.

“This is where the importance of diplomacy, and military policy comes in. It is only when diplomacy fails that the military goes to war," he said.

"We are still a democracy, that diplomatic efforts in police and military operations are imperative as these will result in a more peaceful and less violent way, and will not foster fear of the enforcers," he added.

Gordon said it may be safer that Parlade be at least transferred to a position where he does not have to come up with such pronouncements.

The Senate on Wednesday approved a committee report which recommended the removal of Parlade as the spokesperson of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict.

Senators Risa Hontiveros and Leila De Lima have earlier called for an investigation into the killing and arrest of activists in Calabarzon. -NB, GMA News