Friends of green activist accused of being CPP-NPA member call for her freedom

MANILA, Philippines — Friends and colleagues of an environmental activist accused of being a communist rebel have called for her freedom, believing that she was wrongly arrested.

Writer and Palanca awardee Luchie Maranan said that environmental activist and former University of the Philippines – Baguio instructor Daisy Macapanpan — who was arrested by police last Saturday — should not be jailed just because she is caring for the environment.

Maranan also condemned the alleged harsh treatment that Macapanpan got from police, as activist groups claim that over 10 officers went in to arrest the activist.

“Nararapat lang na ang mga tunay na nagmamahal sa kapwa, sa kalikasan, sa bayan, ay hindi ikinukulong sa piitan. Di hamak na mas maraming kabutihan siyang ginagawa, mas maraming natutulungan kaysa sa mga nasa kapangyarihan na nag-utos na siya’y dakpin nang marahas,” Maranan said in a Facebook post.

“Ang dapat paglagyan ni Daisy ay sa piling ng mga mamamayan, lalo na sa mga kababayan niya sa Pakil, Laguna na kasama niyang tumututol sa mapaminsalang dam project,” she added.

Macapanpan’s niece, filmmaker and visual artist Kiri Dalena also called for the release of her aunt, who was allegedly arrested without any warrant of arrest.

“[…] 68 year old Daisy Macapanpan, a staunch defender of the land, water and cultural heritage of the quiet town of Pakil, Laguna, who has been tirelessly organizing educational materials, primers, signature campaigns and manifestos about why the people should resist the Pakil Ahunan Hydropower Project of Enrique Razon was violently dragged, barefoot from her home by dozens of police officers who offered no warrant of arrest, no explanations,” Dalena said.

“We condemn the normalization of police brutality in the country and demand for Daisy Macapanpan’s immediate release!” she added.

UP Baguio’s Student Council has also condemned the arrest, saying that the rights of Macapanpan were violated with the arrest.

“Mariing ikinukundena ng hanay ng sangkaestudyantehan kasama ang UPB USC ang iligal na paglabag sa karapatang pantao at lumalang panliligalig sa mga tagapagtaguyod at manananggol ng interes ng ating bayan, kapaligiran, at mga karapatan,” the Student Council said in a statement shared in a tweet.

“Bilang parte ng komunidad ng UP Baguio makatwiran lamang ang kolektibong pagkundena sa atake kay Daisy Macapanpan at iba pang mga guro at environmental defender,” it added.

Macapanpan was arrested last Saturday after police said that she was a member of the  Southern Tagalog Regional Party Committee (STRPC) of the Communist Party of the Philippines – New People’s Army (CPP-NPA).

Information from police from General Nakar, Quezon said that several teams from the Philippine Air Force, Philippine Marines, the Special Action Force, the Calabarzon Regional Police, local police, and many other units led the operation to serve the warrant of arrest against Macapanpan.

Police said that the arrest order was issued by the Regional Trial Court Branch 65 of Infanta, Quezon, for the crime of rebellion.

Pakil Mayor Vince Soriano however condemned the arrest, saying that Macapanpan is being detained on vague charges.

READ: Laguna mayor, groups condemn arrest of environmental defender  

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