Activist and indigenous peoples rights advocate Myrna Cruz-Abraham pleaded not guilty during her arraignment on a frustrated murder allegation at the Aparri Regional Trial Court Branch 9.
Usually, the pretrial follows after the arraignment. In Myrna’s case, it has been rescheduled for March 7.
Clamor for justice
While inside the courtroom, Myrna witnessed the legal proceedings alongside others facing drug-related cases. She observed the slow-paced judicial process, particularly for marginalized individuals.
“It takes a long time for us to get their fair share of justice,” Myrna pondered. She thought the situation was disheartening and surmised that these individuals are also victims of the unfair society we live in.
“Just like me, as a human rights activist, we are being repressed by the state even though we are fighting for rights and a better life for the oppressed. Despite that, we will continue the fight within this process,” she added.
Meanwhile, in Manila, various groups trooped to the Department of Justice to demand the immediate dismissal of the frustrated murder case against Myrna, denouncing it as baseless and politically motivated.
Not guilty
According to Atty. Maria Catherine L. Dannug-Salucon, Myrna’s legal counsel, this case has already come a long way.
Myrna’s case stemmed from a frustrated murder charge concerning an ambush incident of a certain barangay captain named Ernesto Belen on March 6, 2007. Myrna along with 18 other individuals were implicated based on allegations of conspiracy to commit the offense.
Her legal counsel also observed a recurring pattern in such cases, especially when rebel returnees (RRs) are used as witnesses in these cases and state agents would amplify red-tagging accusations.
Similar to other political prisoners, Myrna was red-tagged shortly after her arrest in Bulacan and subsequent transfer to Quezon City on January 27. The Quezon City Police District (QCPD), through its director PCOL Melecio M. Buslig Jr., issued a press release about a “successful operation” following Myrna’s arrest, emphasizing the QCPD’s “commitment to safeguarding communities from the threat of “terrorism.”
While cramped in a small cell at the Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit (CIDU) inside Camp Karingal, Myrna endured intimidation tactics from police personnel and some unknown individuals posing as acquaintances, calling her by the aliases listed in the case.
“This is the pattern that we observed and we expect it to happen again. But more often than not, these individuals don’t even show up anymore because their statements have already been discredited,” said Atty. Dannug-Salucon.
With the pretrial set for March 7, the court is expected to determine the admissibility of evidence, witness testimonies, and other procedural matters before proceeding to trial.
“We are preparing for this. The fight is not over, so we will keep demanding fair and just laws. As human rights advocates, we will continue to push for justice for the Filipino people,” Myrna asserted.
