General’s camp cries harassment over his failure to leave jail

The camp of Liberal Party senatorial bet Brig. Gen. Danilo "Danny" Lim Thursday accused the Philippine National Police (PNP) of political harassment when it prevented the release of the detained officer, despite a court order granting him temporary liberty to attend a forum at the University of the Philippines.

Lim's spokesperson, Belle Enriquez, said Thursday's incident was not the first time that the PNP allegedly failed to comply with a court order. In justifying Lim's absence in the UP forum, Enriquez disclosed that although Judge Elmo Alameda of the Makati Regional Trial Court Branch 150 allowed the general to leave detention, the PNP allegedly hindered his temporary release by claiming that it could not provide security detail for him.

"I have never heard something as flimsy as that reason of the PNP. They must have better reasons than this," Enriquez told the students and faculty members of the university who attended the forum on "The Military and Social Change," where Lim and Armed Forces of the Philippines spokesperson Lt. Col. Romeo Brawner Jr. were invited as guest speakers.

Enriquez claimed the PNP's getting in the way of Lim's attendance in the academic forum is an alleged attempt by the government to curtail the general's rights and his movement as a detained soldier running for senator in the May 10 polls.

Enriquez also accused the PNP of preventing Lim's communication and advertising crew to access the detained general, especially as the group is trying to finish Lim's infomercial.

"This government knows that when Gen. Lim speaks, he commands the respect and support of those hearing him talk,” she claimed.

Although Lim's supposed first public appearance in Metro Manila did not push through, it was former UP president and Political Science professor emeritus Francisco Nemenzo who verbally campaigned for him.

Meanwhile, independent presidential candidate Senator Ma. Ana Consuelo “Jamby” Madrigal made public Thursday her support for the senatorial bid of the detained Army Gen. Danilo Lim as she attended the lunch he tendered at Camp Crame supposedly to raise fund for his political campaign.

Lim was supposed to hold the fund-raising lunch at Anabelle’s Restaurant in Tomas Morato, Quezon city, but decided to instead launch his drive in Camp Crame after the PNP refused to allow him to leave the camp.

In a press statement dished out to members of the media, Madrigal said categorically expressed his support for Lim, saying he is a true patriot and defender of the people. "Throughout his military career, General Lim has shown himself to be a true patriot and a defender of the people. He has fought against tyranny and oppression to preserve our democracy no matter what the cost is at great personal sacrifice," she said.

"My expression of support to the candidacy of General Lim is unconditional. I only ask that he remain committed to his principles and continue to fight against patronage politics," the senator added. (with a report by Gabriel S. Mabutas)

Source: mb.com.ph