“It so happens that the case against me is BP 880 issued during the Marcos Sr. era. This makes it clear that Marcos Jr is continuing the legacy of plunder and fascism of his father.”

MANILA – It is the right of Filipinos to demand accountability and protest the blatant corruption in government. 

This is the assertion of environmental defender Jonila Castro after the Pasig City Prosecutor’s Office issued a subpoena against her for allegedly violating Batas Pambansa 880 or the Public Assembly Act of 1985. The subpoena was sent to the headquarters of Bayan Muna Partylist and her name is misspelled as Jionila. She was ordered to submit a counter-affidavit and appear before the prosecutor’s office on Sept 25.

“The people are drowning in mud caused by the Discayas and their accomplices who are corrupt politicians. The mud thrown at them is not even enough,” she said in Filipino in a statement.  

Castro said that the subpoena only showed that the police are protecting the likes of Discaya and not the people who expose the truth and call for justice. “This exposed that there is no justice for the people under the administration of Marcos Jr.,” Castro said. 

Castro, spokesperson of environmental group Kalikasan People’s Network for the Environment, was reportedly one of the protesters at the Discaya compound last Sept. 4.

She stressed that the ongoing issue of corruption and the attacks against those who fight it is proof that the system is rotten. “It so happens that the case against me is BP 880 issued during the Marcos Sr. era. This makes it clear that Marcos Jr is continuing the legacy of plunder and fascism of his father,” Castro said. 

Human rights group Karapatan denounced the subpoena against Castro, saying that the BP 880 is a Marcosian law designed to restrict people’s right to protest, and that this law has long been opposed by human rights defenders.

In a statement, Karapatan Deputy Secretary General and human rights lawyer Maria Sol Taule said that the case against Castro is absurd and malicious. “The September 4 protest action did not destroy lives or property — it was a symbolic act of defiance against corruption and anomalous flood control projects that have gravely impacted communities. If there is destruction, it is the corrupt officials and their projects that are guilty of destroying the lives, homes, and livelihoods of the people.” 

Taule said that instead of prosecuting ordinary citizens who expressed their rage against corruption, “the government should first hold accountable those who have stolen billions in public funds and continue to profit from anomalous projects. This subpoena is nothing more than an attempt to criminalize protest and shield the real plunderers from scrutiny.”

“It’s ironic that we are being asked to secure permission for redress of our legitimate grievances in the midst of these unimaginable and systemic corruption. Nagpaalam ba sila atin nung nilustay ang pera ng bayan? Bakit kailangan namin ng permiso ngayon para magalit at pagprotesta?” (Did they ask our permission when they plundered the people’s money? Why should we need permission now to be angry and to protest?),” said Taule.

Karapatan said that the filing of charges against Castro is a deliberate attempt to cover up and divert attention from the real issue of corruption, while persecuting activists, human rights defenders, and communities who continue to expose and resist systemic corruption in government.

“To protest is justified, especially in the face of brazen corruption and fascist attacks by the State. It is a fundamental right of a people who have long been robbed, maimed and exploited. Let us resist these maneuvers to silence protest, confront corruption head-on, and join the mass protests this September 21 to demand justice, accountability, and genuine change,” Taule said. 

Castro said that she will face the charges against her but before that, they will take to the streets their call for accountability. 

“They are filing a case against people who were being robbed and protect those who steal from the nation’s coffers. This is the system that we must resist. Go to Luneta on Sept. 21,” Castro said. (DAA)