Trade union leader nabbed in QC raid; group calls for release
MANILA, Philippines — A trade union leader was arrested for alleged illegal possession of firearms and explosives during an early morning raid in Quezon City Thursday.
In a report, Philippine National Police (PNP) identified the suspect as Dennis Velasco, 43, who was a subject of a search warrant issued by Executive Judge Cecilyn E. Burgos-Villavert of Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 89 for violation of Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act.
Police said operatives from Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, Quezon City Police District, and Novaliches police served the search warrant against Velasco at his residence in Barangay Greater Lagro, Novaliches at 2 a.m.
Seized were MG7 fragmentation grenade, several high powered firearms, and ammunition.
The League of Filipino Students denounced Velasco’s arrest, which coincided with the commemoration of the International Human Rights Day 2020. The group called on authorities to immediately release Velasco.
“@LFSPhilippines calls for the immediate release of Velasco. This is a clear harassment against labor rights advocates amid the crackdown being executed by Duterte!” LFS said in a tweet.
