Demonstrators were reportedly harassed by authorities at around 3:00 pm, on December 10, 2020 while holding a protest at the Freedom Park of Dumaguete City. Among those harried by state officials included those from youth groups and the family of renowned extrajudicially killed medical professional Dr. Avelex Amor, whose 2nd death anniversary was a mere month ago. The incident was captured live at the Kabataan Para Sa Karpaatan (KPK) Facebook page.

Today is Human Rights Day! Sakit kaayo akong dughan ang gi-buhat sa ako sa kapulisan. Unsa’y gi buhat sa kapulisan?! Wala! (What the police is doing to us really hearts my heart. What did we ever do to the police? Nothing!) It’s your duty to protect us!

Relative of Doctor Avelex Amor to police during the live feed of the harassment.

Upon arriving at the scene, authorities are seen to have immediately anticipated the demonstrators, stating that their assembly was illegal, and attempted to illegally confiscate the protesters’ placards and megaphone. Furthermore, they are also seen shouting accusations at the International Human Rights Day commemorators of “riding on the advocacy”, indirectly implying the protesters of having ulterior motives, like being affiliates of the CPP-NPA.

However, Kabataan Para Sa Karapatan convener Alia Abadia refuted their claims of illegal assembly, stating that they are within the law according to Batas Pamabansa BLG. 880 or “An Act Ensuring The Free Exercise Of Their Right Peaceably To Assemble And Petition The Government For Other Purposes”

Kabataan lang kami! Wala kami dala kundi placard! Hindi nila kami rinirespeto! Makikita niyo naman kung bakit ang dami pinapatay sa Negros! Wala sila sa batas! Wala sila alam sa karapatang pantao! Ang tawag dito ay pasismo!

(We are only youngsters! We haven’t brought anything but our placards! They are not respecting us! You can see why a lot of people are being killed in Negros! They are out of the law! They do not care for human rights! This is what fascism looks like!)

Alia Abadia’s emotional remark during the harassment of authorities captured live by Kabataan Para Sa Karapatan Negros Oriental.

A total of 9 state authorities were recorded at the scene at the time of the harassment by Karapatan Central Visayas, including 5 in military camouflage, 4 security guards, and 1 plainclothes officer, who was seen at a live feed of the youth tampering with KPK’s live recording cellphone while attempting to grab their personal belongings.

Despite a heated encounter, the commemoration carried on and ended without incident or case of arrest.