NINE foreigners from the Asian Peasant Coalition (APC) visiting farmers in Tingalan, Opol, Misamis Oriental were held by police for questioning and brought to the Opol Police Station Wednesday afternoon, November 15.
The nine foreigners, composed of four Thais, four Cambodians and an Indonesian, were with members of the Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) and were on their way to meet local farmers to exchange experiences and insights.
The nine were held and questioned for at least an hour before they were released.
Ireneo Udarbe, secretary general of KMP-Northern Mindanao Region, said they felt harassed when personnel of the Opol town police blocked their way and held them for interrogation at the police station.
Udarbe said the group made a courtesy call at the municipal hall when they arrived last Tuesday before heading up to the hinterland village to meet the farmers.
Udarbe said their foreign visitors came with complete documents and passed a legal process but the police insisted on taking photos and verification of their identities.
"Gusto nila kuhaan og litrato ang mga bisita ug pag-verify sa ilang identity nga pag-abot nila nag-courtesy pami. Ilang ingon nga giharang mi nila kay naay report nga naay mga foreigners nagsaka sa taas (The police wants to take picture and keep on verifying the identities of our visitors. The police said they blocked us because they received reports that foreigners went up to the hinterland)," Udarbe said.
Udarbe maintains that the intention of APC members is to share insights and experiences with the farmers in the upland community in Opol.
Udarbe said the incident puts the police in a bad light, making it appear that the police does not want the farmers to get hold of better farming opportunities from allied foreign partners.
The group also condemned the incident and called it 'police harassment'.
