“This is a proof the correctness of our collective fight against reclamation, alongside the fisherfolk communities— a sign for us to continue our struggle,” Jonila Castro said
“There is no legal basis to hold them any second longer and they should be freed forthwith and if restrained illegally, can walk away from their custodians.”
“Ang totoo po ay dinukot kami ng militar. Napilitan din kami na sumurender dahil pinagbantaan ang buhay namin. Iyon po ang totoo,” Castro said. (The truth is, we were abducted by the military. We were forced to surrender because they threatened our lives. That is the truth.)
Jpeg Garcia’s advocacy for peace based on social justice made him a target of state forces, his fellow human rights defenders in the Southern Tagalog region said.
“We strongly condemn this heartless attack against our sister in the profession. We staunchly urge government authorities to act swiftly in the apprehension of the perpetrators.”
Those who saw the incident said that the Innova vehicle stopped beside the two women who were then walking. Both struggled while they were taken inside the vehicle. “One of them managed to run away but was immediately dragged back to the vehicle. The other young woman tried to pry open or climb over the gate of one of the residents, but was also dragged back into the Innova vehicle,” the report read.
Atom Araullo has been at the center of a red-tagging spree since early 2022, targeting both him and his mother Carol, long-time activist and former chairperson of Bagong Alyansang Makabayan.
Bayan ST asserted that the QCPD is “wasting funds” through its actions. Kyle Angelo Salgado pointed out that the QCPD “had a videoke session during the SONA protest, insulting the rights of citizens to peacefully protest while wasting people’s funds.” More recently, the QCPD also “gave platform to a gun-toting ex-cop through a press conference.”
hree residents of Guindawhan village in the town of Pio V. Corpus, Masbate were killed on Aug. 30 by soldiers belonging to the 2nd Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army, said the New People’s Army – Masbate in a statement.
“Challenging this suit and condemning such action from the QCPD is necessary to keep the state’s armed forces from dictating how we practice our freedom of expression and set a precedent– especially for artworks that are anchored towards the current administration and the system.”
Tanggol Batangan, a Batangas-based human rights group, reported the release of Jose Escobio and Junald Jabonero who were arrested last Aug. 24.