International Coalition For Human Rights in the Philippines
Urgent Alert
August 2, 2024
The International Coalition for Human Rights in the Philippines (ICHRP) condemns the illegal arrest, torture and detention of four peasant and community organizers in Pampanga, Central Luzon. At around 9:30 in the evening of July 29, 2024, Bayan Muna partylist peasant organizer and senior citizen Maria Theresa Buscayno together with other peasant and community organizers Andres Ely, Desiree Jaranilla Patuñ-og, and Oliver Millo were travelling along Jose Abad Santos Ave. approaching Sto. Domingo circle in Mexico, Pampanga, when their vehicle was reportedly stopped by two other vehicles.
Armed men wearing Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) uniforms stepped out from the two vehicles and forcefully dragged them out of the vehicle. They were forced to kneel and lie face down on the ground while being kicked and beaten violently.
The ordeal lasted for 5 hours until 2:30 in the morning. Afterwards, the perpetrators dragged and forced them to board vehicles which drove them to the detention cells of the CIDG in the province of Pampanga.
On July 31, the four victims underwent inquest proceedings at the Office of the Provincial Prosecutor in Pampanga. Similar to other state-sponsored attacks against activists, all four were charged with illegal possession of firearms and explosives. They were accused of holding M16 and M14 rifles in plain view, while hand and rifle grenades were allegedly found inside their handbags. All victims deny the accusations.
As of the moment, the victims are being held in separate locations: Patuñ-og and Buscayno are currently detained at the regional CIDG detention office at Camp Olivas, San Fernando, Pampanga, while Ely and Millo are currently detained at the provincial CIDG office at Capitol Grounds in the same city.
Despite having medical conditions and being sickly, all four victims were not allowed to have medical check-ups after their arrest. They all suffered bruises, contusions, and currently experience pain in different parts of their bodies.
This incident was preceded by the illegal raid on peasant leader Ronnie Manalo’s residence last June 18 in Bulacan, also in Central Luzon.
ICHRP strongly condemns the continued harassment, torture, filing of trumped-up charges, killing and other human rights and international humanitarian law violations against peasant organizers and human rights defenders. We raise the alarm and demand an end to the continued attacks against peasant advocates, organizers, and communities. We demand an immediate release of the four organizers and that Philippine authorities uphold human rights and the principles of international humanitarian law.
Further comment: Peter Murphy, ICHRP Chairperson. WhatsApp: +61 418312301. Email: [email protected].
