Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 21) — Human rights defenders from Southern Tagalog called for the dismissal of complaints filed against them by government forces.
Anakbayan Southern Tagalog coordinator Kenneth Rementilla and Mothers and Children for the Protection of Human Rights secretary-general Jasmin Rubia are co-respondents in a complaint.
On June 26, Rementilla and Rubia received the complaint filed by Sergeant Jean Claude Bajaro of the Philippine Army. They face charges of giving material support to terrorists in violation of the Anti-Terrorism Law.
The complaint stated that Rementilla and Rubia provided materials to members of the Communist Party of the Philippines – New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) in Batangas province in July 2022.
Their subpoena was issued by Antipolo City Prosecutor Mari Elvira Herrera, who they appealed to “side with truth and justice.Never let state forces abuse their power. Nawa’y makita po natin ang (May we see the) inconsistency, vague distinction ng (of) military between terrorists and human rights defenders,” Rubia said.Meanwhile, human rights defender Hailey Pecayo is facing five criminal complaints, including violation of the Anti-Terrorism Law, genocide and crimes against humanity, and attempted murder.The military said Pecayo is a member of the New People’s Army.Makita ho sana na baseless po ‘yung accusations sa amin… Nais lang naming tumulong sa mamamayang Pilipino,” Pecayo said.[Translation: I hope you can see that the accusations against us are baseless… We just want to help the Filipino people.]
