PNP assures safety of Lozada amid alleged threats
The Philippine National Police (PNP), who has been accused of abducting NBN-ZTE witness Rodolfo Noel "Jun" Lozada Jr., has assured his safety in his visit to this city Friday.
Senior Supt. Wesley Barayuga, Iloilo City police director, said they will deploy policemen to secure Lozada from his arrival at the Iloilo airport early this morning until he leaves for Bacolod City around noon.
He said traffic enforcers will also be deployed along Lozada's route and during a protest march he is set to join.
"He is a hot item and we can't afford to allow something to happen to him," Barayuga said in a telephone interview.
Lozada has filed kidnapping and attempted murder charges against government and police officials, including PNP Chief Avelino Razon, for his alleged abduction allegedly by government operatives last February 5 at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport upon his arrival from Hong Kong.
The PNP has repeatedly denied Lozada's allegations and has claimed that it was Lozada and his family who had sought police protection.
Barayuga said organizers of Lozada's visit have coordinated their activities with the police.
Lozada is scheduled to arrive early morning today in his first stop of a series of provincial visits to speak on the NBN-ZTE issue, according to the Alliance for Truth and Justice, an alliance of religious, militant and youth groups and other organizations.
He will be met my multi-sectoral groups on his arrival at the Iloilo airport in Sta. Barbara town around 16 km northwest of here. The contingent will caravan from the airport to the University of San Agustin in this city where Lozada will meet with the Augustinian community.
He will then join a two-kilometer march for "truth, justice and accountability" from the University of San Agustin to the De Paul College in Jaro District where a protest rally and forum will be held. Other protesters are expected to join along the protest route from schools and communities.
Lozada is set to proceed to Bacolod City in the afternoon where he will speak in at least three venues.