THE Department of Justice should withdraw the arrest warrants that the Aquino administration slapped against human rights activists who helped tribal folk in seeking shelter at a compound of the United Church of Christ in the Philippines in Davao last year.
Saying that the warrants filed against the 14 activists by Regional Trial Court-Branch 10 Presiding Judge Retrina Fuentes was “a bitter parting gift of the Aquino regime to some of its staunchest critics,” Bagong Alyansaing Makabayan secretary-general Renato Reyes urged new Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre to withdraw the cases.
“We call on the Department of Justice, the agency who conducted the preliminary investigation and who is now tasked to prosecute the case, to withdraw the trumped-up charges filed against the human rights defenders and to cease further legal actions against the lumad supporters,” Reyes said.
The cases stemmed from the complaint filed by Cotabato Rep. Nancy Catamco last year who claimed the lumad refugees were being held at the UCCP Haran Complex against their will when the tribes folk were actually seeking refuge from military operations.
Despite Catamco insisting that the lumads return to their communities, they refused and defied her orders fearing for their safety following the alleged militarization of their villages in Talaingod, Davao del Norte.
Catamco then accused the militant leaders of forcing the lumad to stay in Haran against their will, filing kidnapping and illegal detention cases.
Those included in the warrant issued last May 13 were 14 activists—Rev. Jaime of the UCCP-Haran, Bagong Alyansang Makabayan spokesperson Sheena Duazo, Karapatan-SMR secretary-general Hanimay Suazo, Ryan Laniba, Tony Salubre, Jimboy Marciano, Mary Ann Sapar, Jaja Encosio, Pedro Arnado, Lumad leader Kerlan Fanagel, Catholic nun Stella Matutina, Restita Miles, Isidro Andao, child rights advocate Kharlo Manalo and Rius Valle.
It was only on June 28 that the accused learned of the existence of the warrants. No bail was recommended for the cases.
Reyes added that these attempts were possibly made up by the previous administration “to undermine the favorable climate for peace negotiations under a Duterte government.”
“It is a mockery of the legal system and an instrument of repression,” he added.
Last year, the lumads trekked all the way from Mindanao to Manila during the height of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation meetings in Manila to air their grievances to the government.