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| Pastor Coctecón Plateado Photo: Daniel Cruz |
Guerrero • Even before the emergence of the People's Movement of Guerrero, the commissioner of community police in Acatempa [village in municipality of Tixtla], Pastor Coctecón Plateado has been characterized by his warrior-like speech. He is now ready to provide support to the dissident teachers in the state.
It was he who warned during a meeting of the State Coordinating Committee of Education Workers of Guerrero (CETEG), on Sunday, April 7, that the community police would come armed to support the teachers. In yesterday's rally in the Zocalo [central plaza] of Chilpancingo, he made the commitment to them:
"We must continue, to death if possible."Coctecón Plateado, one of the main promoters of the Regional Coordinator of Community Authorities (CRAC), has faced questioning by the Secretariat of Public Security of the municipality of Tixtla, accusing him of wanting to extend community policing in the region.
In recent days, his name has been highlighted not only for its uniqueness, but also for his using a combative tone and his repeated warnings about the use of weapons.
"I am Pastor Coctecón Plateado" he presents himself.Pastor [Shepherd] ... What? ask those have just met him.
"Coctecón. With two C's, Coctecón" he responds, annoyed.In the interview, he assures that the warning about using weapons is not an act of intimidation against anyone, even though many think so.
"We don't seek a quarrel with anyone, not with the government, even though we go around armed. We don't seek a quarrel with anyone." he explains.
The use of weapons isn't to intimidate?
"No, if we go around armed it is because we are police; it isn't to attack the government. We are a part of the police and we ought to go around armed, but we attack no one, we fight with no one. No one. That is well understood. Maybe on Thursday [major teacher demonstration in Chilpancingo] we will go armed, but we will not fight with anyone, nor with the government."What are you looking for?
"Our security and that is what the community police work for. If we didn't come armed, we wouldn't be police."You said you will support the teachers to the death ...
"Yes, I've always said that. If one day I disappear or a colleague dies, we will continue to fight. So as I said, we are to death. We are determined about everything. I, as commissioner, I am aware of what's coming. I will continue and I'm also with the teachers."Why are you supporting the teachers?
"Because it affects the same communities, it affects us all and our children are affected. For this reason we are protesting. We are with the teachers."Spanish original