MANILA, Philippines — Nagreklamo ang mga boluntaryong sumusuporta sa presidential bid ni Vice President Leni Robredo tungkol sa pagkatanggal ng kanilang mga tarpaulin, poster, at ribbons. Makikita sa sa kanilang facebook page ang reklamo at eto ang kanilang pahayag tungkol dito:
Beyond Tarpaulins
#Kakampink volunteers of Santiago City put up a big tarpaulin of VP Leni and other political candidates along the main road of Brgy Rizal. After a few days, vandals destroyed the tarp and made a big hole carving out the face of VP Leni Robredo.
This just goes to show how other candidates and their supporters are threatened by the volunteerism and support shown by our kakampinks. Clearly, there are no valid criticisms that can be hurled at VP Leni, so they resort to these destructive acts. We learned that this is not an isolated incident. Some tarps in houses and private properties in the city have also been vandalized.
We would like to reiterate our values of “radikal na pagmamahal”, and encourage family and friends to practice the same. We need to go beyond dirty politics and practice our humanity. Let’s respect each other’s opinion. Let’s not destroy collaterals which were paid for by volunteers who want to effect change in our society.
As for us kakampinks, we will not be deterred, we will not cower, we will not be afraid. Because the #PinkMovement is beyond tarpaulins. The movement is about Filipinos who are yearning for good and honest governance — one that puts people first, before any political agenda and personal wants.
They can destroy all the tarpaulins and collaterals, but they can never put out the fire of volunteerism and love for country of our kakampinks.
Laban lang!
Ayon sa mga report, nakipag-ugnayan ang mga tagasuporta ni Robredo mula sa Santiago City tungkol sa mga materyales na inilagay sa mga pribadong ari-arian — makikita sa CCTV na pinunit ang mukha ni VP Leni Robredo at sinisira ang ang mga tarpauline tuwing madaling araw.
Sinabi ni Gutierrez na ito ay isang uri ng panunupil hinggil sa karapatan ng mamamayan na suportahan ang isang partikular na kandidato, lalo na sa isang bansang yumayakap sa demokrasya.
“Umabot sa amin ang mga balitang tinatanggal ang mga poster, tarp, at iba pang materyales na nagpapahayag ng suporta kay VP Leni,” sinabi ni Gutierrez noong Huwebes ng hapon.
“Isa itong paglabag sa karapatan ng lahat ng Pilipino na malayang ipahayag ang suporta nila sa isang kandidato at hindi dapat gawin, lalo na sa isang demokratikong bansa tulad ng Pilipinas,” dagdag niya.
