Manila, Philippines – The Amihan National Federation of Peasant Women joined the Global Day of Action for the immediate release of “#HRDay 7” or “Human Rights Day 7” and all political prisoners at the Commission on Human Rights office grounds in Quezon City this morning. Moreover, the peasant women group lambasted Duterte and his state forces for its rampant red-tagging, illegal arrest and detention and filing of nonbailable cases to silence his critics including activists, farmers, peasant women and labor union organizers.
The “Human Rights Day 7” are the labor and media activists arrested on the very International Human Rights Day December 10, namely: Dennise Velasco of Defend Jobs Philippine Romina Astudillo, deputy secretary-general of Kilusang Mayo Uno-Metro Manila; Mark Ryan Cruz, regional executive committee of KMU-Metro Manila; Jaymie Gregorio Jr. of KMU-Metro Manila; Joel Demate of Solidarity of Labor Rights and Welfare (Solar); Rodrigo Esparago of Sandigang Manggagawa sa Quezon City (SMQC); and Lady Ann Salem, editor of Manila Today.
“We join the broadening call for the immediate and unconditional release of the HR Day 7 and peasant women organizer Amanda Echanis who was arrested in Cagayan. We hold Duterte primarily responsible for the political persecution of activists and state terrorism reigning over our country, oppressing and attacking poor sectors, especially the broad peasantry,” Amihan National Chairperson Zenaida Soriano said in a statement.
During the protest, the Amihan peasant women group raised the demand to free its organizer under Amihan Cagayan provincial chapter, Amanda Echanis with her month-old baby, currently incarcerated with trumped-up charges such as illegal possession of firearms, ammunition and explosives.
Soriano claimed that the cases of HR Day 7 and Amanda Echanis are similar to the cases of peasant women political prisoner across the country who are victims of trumped up charges. Her group is also campaigning for the freedom of peasant women who are currently incarcerated for defending their rights to land and livelihood across the country. Among incarcerated peasant women who were charged with illegal possession of firearms, ammunitions and explosives are Betty Belen, Azucena Garubat, Ma. Lindy Perocho, Imelda Sultan; Moreta Alegre, Marivic Colito, Mylene Colito, Corazon Javier, Armogena Caballero, Geraldine Pelobello, Margie Baylosis, Merlinda Abraham, Rea Casuyon, and Melissa Comiso.
“Takot na takot si Duterte sa kanyang mga kritiko at tanging solusyon niya ay patayin, ikulong, red-tagging, kasuhan ng gawa-gawang kaso at marami pang iba. Ngayon taon pa lang, kahit may pandemya at sunud-sunod ang kalamidad, napakarami ng mga abuso mula sa estado. Magkaisa tayong patalsikin si Duterte at kanyang mga alipores. Bumabaha ang batayan para wakasan ang kanyang pasistang pamumuno sa mamamayan. Sa kagyat, dapat palayain ang HR Day 7, Amanda Echanis at iba pang political prisoners na biktima ng pasismo ng estadong ito, ” Soriano ended. ###
Reference:
Zen Soriano, 09214571904
AMIHAN
News Release
December 21, 2020
Free #HRDay7 and all political prisoners! – Amihan
Manila, Philippines – The Amihan National Federation of Peasant Women joined the Global Day of Action for the immediate release of “#HRDay 7” or “Human Rights Day 7” and all political prisoners at the Commission on Human Rights office grounds in Quezon City this morning. Moreover, the peasant women group lambasted Duterte and his state forces for its rampant red-tagging, illegal arrest and detention and filing of nonbailable cases to silence his critics including activists, farmers, peasant women and labor union organizers.
The “Human Rights Day 7” are the labor and media activists arrested on the very International Human Rights Day December 10, namely: Dennise Velasco of Defend Jobs Philippine Romina Astudillo, deputy secretary-general of Kilusang Mayo Uno-Metro Manila; Mark Ryan Cruz, regional executive committee of KMU-Metro Manila; Jaymie Gregorio Jr. of KMU-Metro Manila; Joel Demate of Solidarity of Labor Rights and Welfare (Solar); Rodrigo Esparago of Sandigang Manggagawa sa Quezon City (SMQC); and Lady Ann Salem, editor of Manila Today.
“We join the broadening call for the immediate and unconditional release of the HR Day 7 and peasant women organizer Amanda Echanis who was arrested in Cagayan. We hold Duterte primarily responsible for the political persecution of activists and state terrorism reigning over our country, oppressing and attacking poor sectors, especially the broad peasantry,” Amihan National Chairperson Zenaida Soriano said in a statement.
During the protest, the Amihan peasant women group raised the demand to free its organizer under Amihan Cagayan provincial chapter, Amanda Echanis with her month-old baby, currently incarcerated with trumped-up charges such as illegal possession of firearms, ammunition and explosives.
Soriano claimed that the cases of HR Day 7 and Amanda Echanis are similar to the cases of peasant women political prisoner across the country who are victims of trumped up charges. Her group is also campaigning for the freedom of peasant women who are currently incarcerated for defending their rights to land and livelihood across the country. Among incarcerated peasant women who were charged with illegal possession of firearms, ammunitions and explosives are Betty Belen, Azucena Garubat, Ma. Lindy Perocho, Imelda Sultan; Moreta Alegre, Marivic Colito, Mylene Colito, Corazon Javier, Armogena Caballero, Geraldine Pelobello, Margie Baylosis, Merlinda Abraham, Rea Casuyon, and Melissa Comiso.
“Takot na takot si Duterte sa kanyang mga kritiko at tanging solusyon niya ay patayin, ikulong, red-tagging, kasuhan ng gawa-gawang kaso at marami pang iba. Ngayon taon pa lang, kahit may pandemya at sunud-sunod ang kalamidad, napakarami ng mga abuso mula sa estado. Magkaisa tayong patalsikin si Duterte at kanyang mga alipores. Bumabaha ang batayan para wakasan ang kanyang pasistang pamumuno sa mamamayan. Sa kagyat, dapat palayain ang HR Day 7, Amanda Echanis at iba pang political prisoners na biktima ng pasismo ng estadong ito, ” Soriano ended.###
Photo by College editors Guild of the Philippines
