(Photo from Karapatan)
The HRD 7 were arrested on Human Rights Day last December 10 for illegal possession of firearms and explosives, which they claimed were merely planted by police.
Rallyists from Kilusang Mayo Uno, Bayan Muna, Anakpawis, and Pamalakaya, among other groups, gathered at the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) in Quezon City to hold the “Global Day of Action” protest.
Joining them were the families of detained labor organizers Dennise Velasco, Rodrigo Esparago, Romina Astudillo, Mark Ryan Cruz, Joel Demate, Jaymie Gregorio, and journalist Lady Ann Salem of the Manila Today.
In photos from the militant groups, protesters can be seen holding placards and paper lanterns during the rally.
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The Philippine Bar Association this week said it is concerned that certain courts have become “warrant factories”. While the country’s largest voluntary lawyers’ group did not specify the particular courts, its statement indirectly referred to the mass arrest on Human Rights Day of six labor organizers and a journalist.
Press reports said Executive Judge Cecilyn Burgos Villavert of the Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 89 issued the warrants against labor organizers Dennise Velasco, Rodrigo Esparago, Romina Astudillo, Mark Ryan Cruz, Joel Demate, and Jaymie Gregorio Jr., and journalist Lady Ann Salem.
They were arrested on December 10, in separate police operations where law enforcers searched their homes and claimed to have found bombs and explosives.