The National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers (NUPL) said that the court's findings "only prove how State forces are hell-bent at quelling the exercise of labor rights being promoted by trade union organizers such as Dennise Velasco as well as activists in general.”
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You Are Here:Home → 2021 → May → 28 → Rights defenders decry courts’ junking of motions filed by detained labor organizers
Rights defenders decry courts’ junking of motions filed by detained labor organizers
Relatives and friends of the seven human rights defenders arrested on Dec. 10 call for the immediate release of their loved ones in a press conference, Dec. 14 at the Commission on Human Rights. (Photo by Ronalyn V. Olea /Bulatlat)“It is absurd that the Mandaluyong court saw the inconsistencies and defects of the narratives and evidence provided by the police in arresting Esparago and Salem but the same set of facts were ignored by QC and Manila courts.”
Published March 6, 2021, 12:52 PM
An advocacy group has urged the regional trial courts (RTCs) in Manila and Quezon City to dismiss the charges and order the release of five other persons who were arrested last Dec. 10 and charged with illegal possession of firearms and explosives.
In a statement, Kapatid – a support group of families and friends of political prisoners – aired the call after the Mandaluyong City RTC last Friday, March 5, affirmed its decision that dismissed the charges against journalist Lady Ann D. Salem and trade unionist Rodrigo S. Esparago and ordered their release.
It said Romina Astudillo, Mark Ryan Cruz, Joel Demate, Jayme Gregorio and Dennise Velasco were arrested and charged like Salem and Esparago.
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Karapatan sent an “urgent appeal” to its allies, communities, and fellow human rights advocates, seeking their action against the massive crackdown on activists.
The group asked for their support and solidarity in calling for the immediate release of peasant organizer Amanda Echanis and her baby, including a journalist and trade unionists arrested in December.
They are Manila Today editor Lady Ann Salem, and labor organizers Dennise Velasco, Joel Demate, Rodrigo Esparago, Mark Ryan Cruz, Romina Astudillo, and Jaymie Gregorio, collectively known as Human Rights Day 7.
“The imprisonment of Echanis and the HRD 7 reveals the Duterte administration’s glaring practice of persecuting individuals who speak against government’s abuses and injustices,” Karapatan said.