Rights group KARAPATAN condemned the harassment of Kyle Domequil, sister of detained humanitarian worker Marielle Domequil, one of the Tacloban 5.
“The military and elements of the state are too desperate to silence the Domequil sisters, because they cannot deny the fact that they are speaking out the truth, first in the unjust arrest and detention of Marielle, and second, the fear and terror being sowed among young activists and rights defenders in the city of Tacloban, and the rest of Eastern Visayas,” said KARAPATAN secretary general Cristina Palabay.
The younger Domequil, who recently graduated with a degree in Biology at the University of the Philippines Visayas Tacloban College, filed a complaint at the Commission on Human Rights Region 8 on August 7, 2025, where she recounted the incident.
According to Kyle, Barangay Captain Edgar Cañeda, and a certain Lito Velarde went to her boarding house on August 6 at Brgy. 6-A, Sto Niño Extension, Tacloban City and “invited” her to the barangay hall to talk to persons who claimed to be members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP). When Kyle asked them if they had a letter or document stating the reason why she is being “invited,” they could not show any. They merely told Kyle that it was upon the “orders” of the military to “invite” her to speak to them, for her “safety.”
“This is clear harassment. Such ‘visits’ or ‘invitations’ are uncalled for. Neither the military nor the barangay should force or intimidate Kyle to speak to them, for no clear reason,” Palabay said.
For Kyle, she believes that the harassment and intimidation of state forces against her are due to her active role in calling for the freedom of her sister Marielle, along with Frenchie Mae Cumpio and Alexander John Abinguña. She is currently spokesperson and lead convenor of the Free Tacloban 5 Network.
“I know and believe that this is a form of harassment and intimidation as I am a sibling of a political prisoner. I was honestly scared because this is the military that we are talking about, and they have the means to do whatever they want. I am also angry because they can easily use their power and their position to harm me even if I did nothing wrong,” said Kyle.
“We call on the CHR to immediately conduct an investigation, and signal those who are harassing Kyle to stop their brazen acts. We likewise call on the community to protect and defend Kyle, as we call for the freedom of Marielle, Frenchie Mae, and Alexander,” said Palabay.
“Not one of them, students, activists, rights defenders, currently detained political prisoners, deserve these violations to their life, safety and security. The wrongs done to the Tacloban 5 are clear reasons to protest, and Kyle has all the right to defend her sister. The attacks against Kyle should stop and Domequil, Abinguña and Cumpio should be released,” Palabay concluded.