Karapatan decried the continuing harassment against the five people’s paralegals, as well as the inclusion of three activists in the latest complaint filed by the police in Taguig City.
“We condemn this latest development on the charges against our people’s paralegals, who should not have been arrested in the first place,” said Cristina Palabay, Karapatan secretary general.
In the latest complaint by elements of the Taguig City Police Station, charges of tumults, disobedience, and alarm and scandal were once again filed against the five, now known as the LEC 5, who were assisting protesters during the protests on September 10 at Bonifacio Global City. A new charge for so-called violation of Batas Pambansa Blg. 880 or the Public Assembly Act of 1985 was also filed, and now included BAYAN chairperson Teddy Casiño, LFS chairperson Gabriel Magtibay, and UP Diliman student leader Belle Espiritu.
“Di lang sila magaling sa tanim-ebidensya, magaling din sila sa pagbuhay ng patay (They’re not just experts at planting evidence; they’re also experts at bringing the dead back to life),” said Palabay, referring to the four charges that were “resurrected.” The paralegals and protesters now facing five charges, including direct assault, which was filed before the Taguig City Prosecutor’s Office.
“The timing of these complaints is oblivious, now that the Philippine government is preparing to host the upcoming ASEAN Summit, and the growing criticism of the Luzon Economic Corridor, of which the Pax Silica initiative is a component. We believe that the resurrection of the charges sends a warning to the people that whoever raised criticisms of these issues shall face criminal complaints, to intimidate and silence them,” Palabay said.
Karapatan condemns these acts of intimidation, and say that the Filipino people have all the right to protest and demand on these issues, especially that these affect rights, lives, and sovereignty of the people.
“This is the real essence of the right to protest. It is not enough that the Marcos Jr. government reasons out that it accepts criticism, while going after the people who take to the streets to air their legitimate demands. For our part, we shall continue to assert the rights of the people, whatever intimidation and threats that state security forces will use against us, the people’s paralegals and the struggling people,” said Palabay.
