THE progressive women's group Gabriela along with the families of the 15 Haran human rights defenders charged of kidnapping and serious illegal detention of about 700 lumads at the Haran Evacuation Center at the United Church of Christ of the Philippines (UCCP) compound in Davao City demanded that the case be dismissed saying that the arrest warrant issued is a “shade of Martial Law”.
In a statement, Margarita Valle, one of the parents of the 15 human rights defenders, underscored that the case was done in a dubious manner, "reeking of foul intent to ensnare the human rights defenders and prevent them from doing their humanitarian works."
“The Human Rights advocates charged have been assisting the Lumad evacuees at Haran and helped them deal with their difficult situation while advocating for their return to their communities for years already,” Valle said in Monday's Kapehan sa Dabaw at SM City-Annex.
“But some people in power, those who felt like they are the authority when it comes to deciding the fate of the Lumads, are so vile and boastful that they would go to such extent as inflict not only fear in the hearts of the Lumads, but hopelessness, now that their defenders are being attacked,” she added.
The case was filed by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group-Davao Region.
Luz Ilagan, national chairperson of Gabriela, said the issuance of warrant of arrest was a violation of due process, malicious, illegal and libelous.
She also said it jeopardized the safety of the involved individuals because of the pictures that were posted around the city.
“Bakit i-plastar na yung mga pictures as wanted? Yun ang dangerous kasi ang impression sa public mga criminal ito o mga convicts (Why post their pictures as wanted? That is very dangerous because the public’s impression may be they really are criminals or convicts which is not really the case),” Ilagan said.
“Kaya dapat ang action coming from the families of the respondents is to file a corresponding charge against the people who put those posters kasi bawal yun,” she added.
She also stressed that the arrest was an example of a “midnight issuance” and clear malice was behind the case.
RTC Branch 10 Judge Retrina Fuentes, in issuing the warrants, found probable cause to order the arrest, without bail, of Reverend Jurie Jaime, Bayan Southern Mindanao Region (SMR)secretary general Sheena Duazo, Karapatan SMR secretary general Hanimay Suazo, Ryan Laniba, Tony Salubre, Jimboy Maciano, Gabriela Davao secretary general Mary Ann Sapar, Jaja Encosio, Pedro Arnado, Pasaka SMR chairperson Kerlan Fanagel, Sister Stella Matutina, Sister Restita Miles, Isidro Andao, Kharlo Manano, and Save Our Schools (SOS) Network spokesperson Rius Valle.
Ilagan also said that they are looking for evidences in order to dismiss the case against the 15 Haran Human Rights Defenders.
Ilagan explained that the warrant of arrest against the 15 was issued by the Regional Trial Court (RTC) last May 15 even if the respondents’ lawyers were not able to file for motion of reconsideration on the case.
Also, respondents only learned that they were already persons wanted by the law Tuesday during the “Hugpong sa Kalinaw” peace forum held at the Almendras Gym here.
The camp of the 15 Haran asked for a suspension of the warrant which will last until August 1.
Gabriela and the families of 15 called the attention of President Rody Duterte to address the problem.
They are calling to investigate the people behind the filing of the charges and justice for the 15 Haran Human Rights Defenders. (Mielin April R. Salvacion/Mindanao State University Intern with ASP)