"The BS Aquino government is illegally arresting individuals based on trumped up charges, in a desperate attempt to gag critics and sow terror in communities," Cristina Palabay, Karapatan secretary general said as the human rights group condemned the series of arrests committed against anti-pork activists and those opposed to land grabbing of multinational corporations.
"The BS Aquino government is illegally arresting individuals based on trumped up charges, in a desperate attempt to gag critics and sow terror in communities," Cristina Palabay, Karapatan secretary general said as the human rights group condemned the series of arrests committed against anti-pork activists and those opposed to land grabbing of multinational corporations.
On July 22, 2014, at around 12 p.m., farmer Melvin R. Espinoza, 20, was arrested with Geoffrey Ganacia, 18, and "Mike", 16, by some 30 elements of the Philippine National Police (PNP) in front of a sari-sari store owned by Caridad Fiel in Purok 10, Bulak, Iba, Cabangsalan, Bukidnon.
The three were brought to the PNP Cabangsalan station "for investigation" on their alleged involvement in the burning incident of two heavy equipment of Sumifru Philippines Corp., a company owned by Japanese transnational Sumitomo Corp. and managed by the Cuyegkeng family, which has a pineapple plantation in the area. The said equipment were allegedly burned by members of the New People’s Army (NPA) at around 10:50 a.m. on the same day at Purok 12, Bulak, Iba, Cabangsalan.
Fausino Fiel, son of the storeowner saw the three was at their store, hanging around, as early as 9:30 a.m. up to the time of their arrest.
"The police easily and swiftly captured the three, in just a span of few hours after the burning. How can they be so quick to learn that these men were involved in the incident, unless they were picked randomly just to have someone to blame," Palabay said.
“The three, and their parents, are active in the community’s campaign against the expansion of the plantation. Their parents are members of the local peasant organization. But that does not justify their arrest,” added Palabay. The agri-venture by Sumifru Phils. has been widely opposed by communities and the local government because of the transnational company’s anti-people activities, including anti-labor practices, land-grabbing and environmentally-destructive operations in the plantation, which covers more than 5,000 hectares of agricultural land.
"Mike", a minor, was released to his parents but Espinoza and Ganancia were brought to the PNP provincial command the following day, July 23. It was only on July 23 that a complaint was filed before the National Prosecutors Office (NPS) for destructive arson against the two.
In the subpoena dated July 23, Espinoza and Ganancia were given 10 days to file their counter affidavits but on July 28, five days after, the NPS came out with a recommendation to file information in court for destructive arson. "Espinoza and Ganancia were not given a chance to defend themselves in their counter-affidavits within the prescribed 10-day period," Palabay said.
Anti-pork activists arrested, released on bail
Meanwhile, indigenous people’s leader Genasque Enriquez who was arrested in Surigao City on August 22 posted bail and was released on August 23. He is facing charges of frustrated murder. He was arrested after attending a Caraga-wide assembly of anti-corruption activists and a press conference for the People’s Initiative against the pork barrel system. Enriquez is the national vice chairperson of Katribu Partylist and secretary general of Kahugpungan sa mga Lumadnong Organisasyon sa Caraga (Kasalo.)
Four days after, Hernan Certeza, spokesperson of Kilusang Mayo Uno-Bicol was also arrested after joining the People’s Initiative signature campaign against the pork barrel system on August 25 in Sto. Domingo, Albay. He was charged with grave coercion that supposedly happened when he attended a rally against the privatization of Albay Electric Company last February 24. Certeza was released the following day after posting bail.
"The BS Aquino regime has this notion that by arresting leaders of people’s organizations he can derail the movement against the pork barrel system; or that he can silence those who oppose the exploitation and plunder perpetrated by his government. It’s time for BS Aquino to review history and learn that harassing, arresting and detaining the people will only drive them to pursue their fight against this corrupt and repressive government, " Palabay concluded.###