Bayan secretary-general Renato Reyes. INQUIRER.net FILE PHOTO
Militant group Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) on Friday urged the Department of Justice (DOJ) to stop the cases against its colleagues over charges of alleged kidnapping and serious illegal detention of indigenous peoples or Lumad in Davao.
Bayan chairperson Renato Reyes called the issuance of arrest warrants against 14 individuals as the Aquino administration’s “bitter parting gift to some of its staunchest critics.”
“The warrants were issued on May 13, during the last days of the Aquino regime, possibly to undermine the favorable climate for peace negotiations under a Duterte government… However, it was only on June 28 that the accused learned of the existence of the warrants. No bail was recommended for the cases,” Reyes said in a statement.
READ: ‘Duterte a supporter of lumad’
The warrants were issued by Davao Regional Trial Court Branch 10 presiding judge Retrina Fuentes.
Reyes said the case stemmed from the accusations of Northern Cotabato Rep. Nancy Cotamco against human rights groups of forcing the Lumad to stay at the United Church of Christ in the Philippines (UCCP) Haran complex in Davao last year against their will.
BACKSTORY: Catamco, police try to force lumads to go home
“When the Lumad were given a choice to go with Catamco or stay in the church compound, the Lumad chose to stay,” he said, adding that the Lumad fled their communities due to military operations.
Reyes called on the DOJ to drop the charges against his colleagues and to “cease further legal actions against the Lumad supporters.”
“The warrant should be recalled by the court so that our colleagues can resume their work. The Lumad meanwhile are hopeful that they would be able to return home under the new Duterte presidency,” he said.
“The practice of filling trumped-up cases against activist should stop. It is a mockery of the legal system and an instrument of repression,” Reyes added.
Included in the arrest warrants are Rev. Jaime of the UCCP-Haran, Bayan spokesperson Sheena Duazo, Karapatan-SMR secretary general Hanimay Suazo, Ryan Laniba, Tony Salubre, Jimboy Marciano, Mary Ann Sapar, Jaja Encosio, Pedro Arnado, Lumad leader Kerlan Fanagel, Catholic nun Stella Matutina, Restita Miles, Isidro Andao, child rights advocate Kharlo Manalo and Rius Valle. IDL