DILG exec: Police presence at Baby River’s funeral ‘anticipative,’ not overkill

An official of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Friday said the police presence at the funeral and burial of a three-month-old child is more "anticipative" than "overkill."

Interior Undersecretary Epimaco Densing III said the case of Baby River Nasino is a "major public issue" and that police just prepared in case a large crowd would form at the burial.

"Kailangan lang ho dagdagan ng kaunti 'yung regular security na binibigay sa mga ganyan... ang binabantayan natin diyan hindi lang actually security, pati po 'yung paninigurado na 'yung health protocols po ay nasusunod," Densing said at the Laging Handa briefing.

Kapatid, a prisoner rights' group supporting jailed activist Reina Mae Nasino, River's mother, earlier said more than 20 police officers were deployed in front of the Manila North Cemetery and more were at the funeral home Friday morning.

"Dahil medyo major issue na pinag-usapan nitong huling mga araw, nag-anticipate lang po na maaaring magkaroon ng pagdadagsa ng mga tao so the security arrangement is just proper because of the issues at hand," Densing said.

"Hindi naman ho overkil, it's more of anticipative rather than being overkill. Buti na yung medyo prepared ho tayo sa maaaaring mangyari kaysa naman hindi tayo preparado, so eksakto lamang po yun," he added.

Last Wednesday, Nasino's family and lawyers complained of what they said was the "overkill" treatment of the detainee, who was allowed to go out of the Manila City Jail for a few hours to visit River's wake.

They said Nasino was flanked by her guards and was handcuffed for most of the visit. They also claimed that the guards did not observe physical distancing.

Nasino is an urban poor organizer who faces charges of illegal possession of firearms and explosives. She carried River in her womb while in jail and gave birth at a hospital on July 1. Weeks later, mother and daughter were ordered separated.

River died of pneumonia last October 9. — RSJ, GMA News