Security Council Ordered ASEP To Cut Cell Phone Signals

The Administrator of the Public Services Authority (ASEP), Zelmar Rodriguez followed the orders of the National Security Council of the Ministry of the Presidency in restricting cellular telephone communications in the towns of Horconcitos (Chiriquí) y Viguí (Veraguas) signaling between the towns of Horconcitos in the province of Chiriquí and Vigui in the province of Veraguas on 3 February 2012. In those areas the protesting indigenous Ngäbe Bugle Indians blocked highways to protest the development of mining and hydroelectric projects in their region. The Administrator of the ASEP received a note on February 3 from the Executive Secretary of the Security Council what called for the measure of "national security." The ASEP executed the order through Resolution 5109-Telco, which ordered the four cellular telephone companies in the country (Cable & Wireless, Movistar, Claro and Digicel) "restrict, immediately, the cellular signals" in the conflict area. In the same resolution, to which La Prensa had access, the ASEP warned the companies that "we could verify the conditions of restricted cellular signals."

Last Sunday Security Minister Jose Raul Mulino said he had taken this measure because the communication towers of the telephone operators could be sabotaged. But he also acknowledged that the measure served to undermine the "political coordination and political manipulation of the opposition groups."

New Demands - Meanwhile, on a criminal complaint was filed against the president, Ricardo Martinelli, for the alleged commission of acts in violation of fundamental rights, and a request for constitutional guarantee protection was filed against Mulino and Rodriguez by the President of the Popular Party, Milton Henriquez, who also filed a complaint of unconstitutionality yesterday against the ASEP resolution. Henriquez claims the order violated the right to freedom of expression and information. He also says the the restriction of fundamental freedoms should decided in the Cabinet Council and that, therefore, neither the ASEP nor the Executive Secretary of the National Security Council of the Presidency of the Republic would have the power to do so.

Consulted by this newspaper (La Prensa), Henriquez said the concern "is not only what happened but what might happen in the future. Tomorrow, in another situation like this, the ASEP could order the TV channels not to broadcast news ... It is an ominous precedent."

Moreover, the lawyer Florencio Barba Hart filed before the Attorney General a complaint against Mulino and "those found responsible for the alleged offense against the freedom of communication" over the cutting of the cell phone signals. (Prensa)