Amid fear of the Anti-Terrorism Law being used to punish dissent, Philippine National Police (PNP) Cabuyao has charged #Cabuyao11 with the violation of quarantine protocol under Republic Act 1332, Batas Pambansa 880 (Public Assembly Act of 1985 which contains the “no permit, no rally” provision) and resistance and disobedience to a person in authority under Article 151 of the Revised Penal Code. According to Karapatan-Timog Katagalugan, the Region IV arm of an alliance of groups for the advancement of human rights, a representative of the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) was unable to speak to detained activists today but took statements from the police and #Cabuyao11’s paralegal team. The political detainees were barred from speaking to their families and paralegal team over the weekend.
On July 4, the UPLB university student council reported that members of BAYAN-Southern Tagalog, Gabriela-Southern Tagalog, and Kabataan Partylist-Southern Tagalog were “violently dispersed and illegally arrested” by police forces at Pulo, Cabuyao, Laguna after a peaceful mobilization calling for the junking of the Anti-Terrorism Law of 2020.
#FreeCabuyao11 then trended on Twitter as many called for the immediate release of 11 activists arrested by officers from the 2nd CMO Battalion of the Philippine Army’s 2nd Infantry Division and Philippine National Police (PNP) Cabuyao under Lt. Col. Reycon Garduque.
Two days ago, three minors who were among those apprehended for taking part in the protest were released. Today, the eight remaining activists were also let go for further investigation.
Around 12:19 a.m. today, a woman was heard yelling for help by those keeping vigil outside of the station. Loud music was then played by officers as they denied to provide information about the conditions of the detainees. When the paralegal continued to ask for information, Karapatan reports that an officer told them that supporters staying outside the station was “abnormal” and they are therefore being “observed” by state agents.
Spokesperson of DEFEND-Southern Tagalog Charm Maranan said, “It is clear that the activists were only exercising basic rights to peaceful assembly and to protest, which are enshrined in the Constitution. Nevertheless, we have seen today how easy it is for state forces to violate the people’s basic rights—emboldened further a day after the Terror Law was signed! What other brutalities can the police and military commit after the Terror Law takes effect?”
On July 5, religious ministers from the United Church of Christ in the Philippines headed by pastor Vic Magsasagawa were not given permission to meet with the detainees to conduct spiritual counseling at prayer service. This denial is in violation of Republic Act 7438.
For those who wish to offer financial assistance to #Cabuyao11, we have posted their bail fund details on our Instagram page. You may also sign the petition to drop the charges against them.
Photo courtesy of Karapatan – Southern Tagalog
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