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'Soldier' held for 'surveillance' on National Artist Lumbera's home


THANKS, BUT NO THANKS. Bienvenido Lumbera leads a group of national artists in returning their medallions at the CCP in protest over President Arroyo’s latest choice for the awards. Joe Galvez (File photo)
A supposed intelligence officer of the Philippine Marines was arrested Thursday for allegedly conducting surveillance on the residence of National Artist for Literature Bienvenido Lumbera. Lumbera told radio dzBB in an interview that his maids saw at least three men taking pictures of their home in Mapayapa village in Quezon City at about 6 a.m. "Kinukuhaan ang harap ng bahay namin at all angles… at yung sa amin lang ang kinuhaan," said Lumbera, who at the time of the radio interview was on his way to Malacañang for an awarding ceremony. Upon learning about the activities of the men outside his house, Lumbera called up the village security that led to the arrest of one of the alleged soldiers. The two were able to escape. Lumbera said his house is located in a gated subdivision but security was not strict because a nearby chapel is open to the public, even outsiders. The arrested suspect was identified as one "Hannibal Guerrero," based on an "AFP identification card" that was retrieved from him. Asked what his purpose was, the collared man reportedly gave conflicting responses. "Magulo ang sagot niya nang tinanong ng security namin… Interesado raw siya sa vacant lot sa amin pero ang bahay namin ang kinukuhaan ng litrato," Lumbera said. As of this posting, the suspect has yet to be turned over to the Quezon City Police District. Lt. Col. Edgard Arevalo, Navy spokesman, told GMANews.TV over the phone that he would check if the arrested man was indeed a serviceman.
President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo poses with Bienvenido Lumbera (4th from left) along with other National Artist awardees for 2006 and Cultural Center of the Philippines officials. GMANews.TV (File photo)
Lumbera is an active participant in protest actions against the giving of the National Artist Award to comic book icon Carlo J. Caparas. [Fury over Arroyo’s choice of national artists] On August 25, the Supreme Court stopped President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo from conferring the rank and title of national artist on seven personalities -- including Caparas, called "Massacre King" for his commercially successful blood-and-gore revenge flicks -- while it looks into a petition filed by several national artists and cultural workers. [See: Supreme Court blocks National Artist conferment] The following day, Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita told a news conference that President Arroyo was sticking to her choice of this year's National Artists unless the high court will tell her to reconsider her picks. [See: Arroyo sticking to her picks of nat'l artists - Palace exec] - GMANews.TV
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