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“Parang binuhusan ako ng malamig na tubig. (My enthusiasm was immediately put off) If you could just imagine the mental anguish that we feel because all along we thought we will be with him this Christmas.”
“The situation will worsen if we are silent... Now is the time to fight, to speak, and to push for genuine social change.”
Relatives of Dennise Velasco and Joel Demate asserted that the “issuance of the search warrants was tainted with infirmities,” and the implementation of the search warrant “is in violation of established rules of procedure and in gross derogation of their constitutional rights.”
“This heartbreaking predicament of having babies separated from their detained mothers, and of being denied of their basic human right to their mother's breastmilk, that is justified by rules issued by jail authorities, is what Reina Mae brings before the Supreme Court for its review and resolution.”
Karapatan Secretary General Cristina Palabay said the domestic remedies are no longer enough, noting the trend of police “planting evidence” with impunity.
“Contrary to the stereotype of a youth activist, she was never late to meetings. And what she brought to these meetings! She had the tiniest voice, yet her words had weight.”
“The Icy that we grew up and spent our high school days with — a diligent student, a committed and effective leader, an articulate writer, a skillful athlete, and a loyal and loving friend — could not be further from the gun-wielding terrorist the police is trying to portray.”
Prior to his arrest, Dennise was coordinating relief efforts in Marikina. He planned to use proceeds from his small coffee business to procure relief goods and offer livelihood opportunities in the neighborhood.
Teddy Casiño of Bayan said the Duterte administration is the "number one human rights violator."
“She is very sharp. She is understanding of what her colleagues are going through. And on hard times, she would always say, ‘You can do it. I believe in you.'”
Activists in the Philippines, Guatemala and Palestine are arrested and detained for their political beliefs. The international community demands the release of all political prisoners.
“The subtext of our legal submissions is that hers is a case of patent abuse of authority by the state — of a negotiated procurement of defective search warrants; of a crackdown not on crime, but on legitimate dissent; of an oft recycled charge of illegal possession of firearms and explosives lodged against activists filed not on the basis of fact and evidence, but on the convenience of the unavailability of posting bail as a matter of right.”
"There is something wrong because her 23-year old mother was detained not because she did something wrong, but because she was wrongfully accused." -- Bishop Broderick Pabillo
The hypocrites in government malign the work of organizers, humanitarian workers, and human rights defenders, vilifying and tagging them as enemies of the state and terrorists. They persecute many who truly work for the betterment of our society.
“There is no reason especially why the prison authorities will not allow us to send food, flowers and solace to Reina Mae at this lowest point in her life.”
"The arrest of Belen is a very clear example of the dangers of red-tagging, resulting in violations to the right to life, liberty and security of human rights defenders, including indigenous women human rights defenders who are fighting for their communities’ land, resources and rights.”
Featuring artworks inspired by the plight and struggle of political prisoner Reina Mae Nasino and her daughter Baby River.
“Most importantly, they demonstrate the BJMP and PNP’s unconscionable contempt for the accused’s grief and suffering as well as total disregard to human feelings, oblivious to public sensibilities and unmitigated disrespect for out eternally observed culture in times of bereavement.”
“Why did this happen? I thought this would be our moment. This is not solemn. Don't you have a family?” Marites Asis, mother of Reina Mae Nasino
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