As human rights lawyer Neri Colmenares said during the gathering of supporters and families of the Makabayan 4 last July, this regime does not tolerate dissent. He said that the issue is beyond the arrest of the Makabayan 4, it is about the people whose democratic rights are being trampled upon for voicing out their grievances against the government.
“If these are truly the handiwork of the reconstituted IACLA as some quarters have alleged, then this body requires reexamination as did its predecessor, the Interagency Legal Action Group under Arroyo, which was abolished upon the recommendation of the United Nations.”
“All these complaints were initiated by the police and the military. Most of the complainants and witnesses are rebel returnees, members of the paramilitary that are in the custody and protected by the military.”
“Facts and circumstances to prove that they are guilty of the crime have also not been met.”