Karapatang Pantao

Aquino gov’t accused of ‘criminalizing dissent’ through ‘trumped-up’ cases in Mindanao


DAVAO City — Leaders of peoples’ organizations Karapatan, Barug Katawhan, Balsa Mindanao, Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) in Southern Mindanao Region, and Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas criticized the Aquino government for filing trumped-up charges against their leaders and members to silence the protests against human rights abuses. Sheena Duazo, Bayan-SMR spokesperson, said this ploy that “smacks of desperation” is part […]

In response to the Aquino government's tactic of filing trumped-up cases against its critics, people's organizations have called for the passing of the Anti-Slapp Bill in Congress. <b>Kilab Multimedia</b>
In response to the Aquino government’s tactic of filing trumped-up cases against its critics, people’s organizations have called for the passing of the Anti-Slapp Bill in Congress. Kilab Multimedia

DAVAO City — Leaders of peoples’ organizations Karapatan, Barug Katawhan, Balsa Mindanao, Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) in Southern Mindanao Region, and Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas criticized the Aquino government for filing trumped-up charges against their leaders and members to silence the protests against human rights abuses.

Sheena Duazo, Bayan-SMR spokesperson, said this ploy that “smacks of desperation” is part of Aquino’s counter-insurgency program Oplan Bayanihan that violates the democratic rights of individuals and organizations.

As a result of the “food protest” on January 15, 2013 where around 7,000 typhoon Pablo victims and survivors blocked the road in Montevista, Compostela Valley province for nine hours, the Aquino administration filed criminal charges against the progressive bloc.

Duazo, together with Mae Fe Ancheta of Balsa Mindanao, Carlos Trangia, Grace Curso, Leni Camino of Barug Katawhan and others face cases of violating Batas Pambansa 880 or “resistance and disobedience to a person of authority”.

Karlos Trangia of Barug Katawhan condemned the government’s response and described it as a mockery of the plight of Typhoon Pablo victims. Instead of facing accountability in what was widely believed to be a criminal neglect of the Aquino government, it has resorted to glaring harassments and intimidation, said Trangia.

Progressive groups also launched the Anti-Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (Slapp) Bill in Congress and called for its immediate passage.

Slapp is a “legal action filed by corporations, public officials or individuals against non-governmental organizations, People’s organizations, local residents, community groups, and individuals in an attempt to intimidate the latter into discontinuing their protests, oppositions, and criticisms against any initiative of the former that adversely affects public interest and welfare.”

Duazo believes that it is high time to pass the Anti-Slapp Bill in order to end the violations through these schemes.