Anakpawis-ST coordinator escaped ambush

Anakpawis-Southern Tagalog regional coordinator and Anakpawis 7th nominee Orly Marcellana barely escaped ambush from bonnet and motorcycle-riding men in Barangay Sala, Cabuyao, Laguna today at around 3:30 PM.

Coming from Anakpawis office in Barangay Sala after a campaign consultation, Marcellana and a companion Virgilio Batarlo were on their way to Calamba City when two motorcycle-riding men tailed their jeepney.

“When we reached a Caltex gasoline station, another pair of bonnet-wearing men came. However, this time, one of them is carrying an M-16 armalite rifle,” said Marcellana.

“What the hell are bonnet-wearing men in civilian clothes doing with an armalite rifle since it is election gun ban?”

Marcellana jumped off the jeepney and ran off to a nearby community. However, mistaken for a thief and for some reasons, some tricycle drivers and community members mauled him. He lost his mobile phone while trying to call for help from friends.

“They only stopped hurting me when I shouted that I am from Anakpawis Partylist,” said Marcellana who suffered cuts and bruises.

Marcellana sought the help of some barangay tanods and brought him back to the Anakpawis office in Barangay Sala.

As of this time, some barangay tanods are investigating on Marcellana’s case. His companion sent a text message reporting that he is in safe conditions.

At the onset of political harassments and killings of activists and progressive partylists, Marcellana has been receiving and experiencing threats to his life.

Marcellana is also the secretary-general of KASAMA-Timog Katagalugan, a peasant organization in the region. He is also the widower of human rights
worker Eden Marcellana who was slain in Mindoro Oriental in April 2003.