Human rights group Karapatan today said that the acts of Lt. Gen. Antonio Parlade Jr. as an “incorrigible red-tagger” of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) “such as inciting violence and harm on artists, activists, and communities are big reasons why the task force’s PhP16.44 billion budget is a waste of public funds.”

Karapatan today cautioned the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology on “taking any form of reprisal against political prisoner Reina Mae Nasino, after her cruel and inhuman treatment in the hands of jail and police personnel during the wake and funeral of her daughter, Baby River.” 

Human rights alliance Karapatan said on Tuesday that “recent statements of public officials on the plight of political prisoner Reina Mae Nasino, days after the ‘overkill’ treatment of Nasino and her family during the funeral of baby River, laid bare the injustices she suffered, including her political persecution and unjust detention as a champion of the poor.” 

Even with the 37 petitions before the Supreme Court questioning the constitutionality of Republic Act No. 11479 or the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020, its implementing rules and regulations (IRR) have been finalized and released to the public. 

The IRR merely confirmed the issues raised by the petitioners regarding the draconian law and how it can potentially be weaponized against political dissenters, activists, members of the opposition, journalists and the broader public. 

As Reina Mae Nasino and her family lay Baby River to rest today, we join them in deep mourning and indignation. There are no words to describe this terrible loss but a grave and cruel injustice not only to Baby River, Reina Mae Nasino, and their grieving family — but above all, the Baby River’s death is an act of injustice against the Filipino people.