Reign of Terror: Activists in the Philippines arrested for questioning COVID-19 protocols and more
On June 1, Philippines’s Anti-Terror Bill was certified by the president as URGENT.
The House Bill No. 6875, an amendment of the Human Security Act of 2007, gives the police, law enforcers, and the military absolute power in calling a particular act an act of terrorism. Under the bill, you can be a terrorist for grounds as simple as participating in rally, donating and helping in relief drives, and writing, commenting and sharing posts authorities interpret as a connotiono of terrorist activities. AND YOU CAN BE ARRESTED WITHOUT WARRANT. While the president has not yet officially signed the bill into law, a number of people had been arrested warrantless. From a street rally to a Facebook comment, here is a list of the arrests during the COVID-19 pandemic alone:
#JunkTerrorBill protesters arrested
Police arrested and detained 7 people during a rally against the Anti-Terror Bill on June 5. 30 people gathered at the University of the Philippines (UP) Cebu, Visayas (Central Philippines) and protest ended in chaos. The detainees were only released on June 8. That same day, unidentified men visited and threatened the family of Al Inking, one of the protesters arrested. They were warned to reprimand Al or the next time they see him, he will be in a casket.
Lawyer Rey Fernandez questioned the arrests, in reference to a 1982 agreement regarding the entrance of military and police in the campus. Called the Soto-Enrile accord, it states that armed authorities are permitted interference with peaceful protest actions within campus premises.
21 protesters rallying for relief aid arrested
Twenty-one protesters demanding relief assistance were arrested last April 1.
The protest was done along the Epifanio Delos Santos Avenue (EDSA) by the residents of Sitio San Roque, an urban poor community in Quezon City. They had reportedly not received any kind of assistance from the city government.
“There were no proper hygiene facilities or supplies. Doesn’t their arrest defeat the purpose of stopping the spread of the virus?”
Jek-jek Caboboy, one of those arrested, went out that day to claim his salary. “Someone shouted that a charity was going to give away a half-sack of rice,” he recalled. “People started lining up on the side of the road. The next thing I knew, the police came, telling us to get on the ground.”
According to San Roque 21 lawyer Kristina Conti, social distancing was not followed while they were in police custody. “There were no proper hygiene facilities or supplies. Doesn’t their arrest defeat the purpose of stopping the spread of the virus?”
President Duterte called out urban poor group Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap (KADAMAY) for organizing the said rally: “I will not hesitate to have my soldiers shoot you.”
All of them were posted a bail of Php 15,000. A number of volunteers aided the residents.
President Duterte called out urban poor group Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap (KADAMAY) for organizing the said rally: “I will not hesitate to have my soldiers shoot you.”
Jeepney drivers arrested for demanding continuation of operations.
6 jeepney drivers were arrested on June 2 for rallying the resumption of jeepney operations. They are all members of the transport group Piston.
On June 1, the Luzon island was placed under general community quarantine, yet public utility vehicles (PUVs) like jeepneys, are still prohibited from operating. Most PUV drivers are low-income citizens, and the lockdown in the country has caused them to suffer in poverty. According to the drivers arrested, they have not received assistance from the government since the lockdown.
They were charged for conducting a mass gathering and violating social distancing. They were fined at Php 3,000.
Piston rebutts this, saying that the protesters were observing social distancing and wearing face masks.
On June 8, 4 of the jeepney drivers had been released. Elmer Cordero and Wilson Ramilla remained in prison as other charges had been reportedly filed under their names. The two were only released on June 9.
BONUS: Despite arrests, Police Chief Sinas, cops, not intimidated to party
Metro Manila Police Chief Debold Sinas threw himself a birthday party on May 8 with 18 of his subordinates despite their job to maintain strict quarantine rules around Metro Manila.
The party was heavily criticized, for not following strict quarantine rules.
Activists are being arrested for expressing dissent towards the government’s COVID-19 protocols
Carlito Badion was found dead on a highway in Ormoc, Leyte, Visayas (Central Philippines) last May 28.
He is known for powering the plight of the informal settlers and the homeless. He also worked for housing campaigns and helped communities facing the threat of demolition namely Sitio San Roque in Quezon City (yes, the same people arrested for rallying their hunger and need of assistance), and Corazon de Jesus in San Juan City.
Badion’s fight for the homeless and informally settled caused him and fellow urban poor activists to be “… labeled as criminals, or worse as enemies of the state, as terrorists,” as said in a statement by Ferdinand Gaite of political organization Bayan Muna.
Jose Reynaldo “Jory” Porquia was shot in Iloilo City, Visayas (Central Philippines) by unidentified men on April 30.
Porquia is an environmental activist. He actively campaigned for large-scale mining, coal power plants, and mega-dam projects in Iloilo and Capiz. He is known for his efforts under the madia-as Ecological Movement, the biggest environmental organization in the Panay region. He is also one of the founding members of Bayan Muna, a leftist organization in the Philippines.
On May 2, Porquia’s daughter, Krisma Niña Porquia, and 41 other friends and colleagues were arrested for their protest and grievance over Porquia’s death. They have been released on bail.
More are arrested due to social media posts about the government
Bambi Beltran was arrested, detained, and handcuffed by police for her sarcastic criticism of Cebu City Mayor Edgar Labella on April 19.
In a Facebook post, Beltran called out the COVID-19 situation in Cebu City in Visayas. “9,000+ new cases (all from Zapatera) of COVID-19 in Cebu City in one day. We are now the epicenter in the whole solar system,” she’d written.
The post had been deemed as fake news. Mayor Labella himself posted on his own Facebook account: “This is FAKE NEWS and this is a criminal act. Just wait Ms Beltran, you’ll soon be caught by the PNP Cybercrime Unit. You’ll really be thrown in prison.”
She was brought to police headquarters for a 60-hour detention. Beltran was handcuffed on a plastic chair. She was released on April 22. Her bail is at Php 42,000 for all charges. If declared guilty, she could be imprisoned for 12 to 18 years and a fine of up to Php 1 million.
“That’s why we are arresting her. She is just creating an atmosphere of fear. She is not anymore helping,” said Central Visayas police director Brigadier General Albert Ferro.
Beltran is known for campaigning for Labella, defeated rival Tomas Osmeña in the 2019 midterm elections. According to Labella, Beltran’s arrest was “Nothing personal.”
Gloria Tomalon was arrested in her home in Surigao del Sur, Mindanao (Southern Philippines) on March 19. She is the chair of KATRIBUMMU, an indigenous peoples’ organization in Mindanao, known for restricting the entrance of 5 large-scale mining companies to take over ancestral lands and forests of indigenous residents.
Due to her affiliations with the communist party New People’s Army (NPA), she had been “falsely charged” on the NPA guerillas’ attack on an indigenous community in Sitio Emerald, Barangay Diatagon, as well as an alleged failed ambush on February 19.
Leovino Julongbayan, Virgilio Vidal, Marcelo Vidal, Doroteo Bautista; July Julongbayan; and Roilan Tenorio were arrested in their homes in Batangas, south of Manila, on May 11. The farmers are members of the organization Samahan ng mga Magsasaka sa Coral ni Lopez (SAMACOLO), known for revolting against land-grabbing cases since the 1980s, as well as the 900-megawatt coal-fired powerplant in their municipality. They were also involved in the distribution of cash aid in response to the lockdowns in the Luzon island.
17 government vehicles and two militant trucks came to detain the men, who were suspected members of armed Communist New People’s Army (NPA).
As a way of intimidation, 4 online protesters arrested in their homes on Labor Day (May 1). Fidel Columna of Kilos na Homeless, and Marlin Abique and Danny and Anne Calunsad, who are part of Liga ng Manggagawa sa Valenzuela City, were all interrogated by police in Valenzuela City, Metro Manila. The four posted on social media photos of placards that reprimanded labor contractualization, lack of safety measures in factories, as well as the low hazard pay for laborers in celebration of Labor Day in the Philippines. They were released after 5 hours of interrogation.
Urban poor group KADAMAY insisted that the police did not give any concrete reason for the arrest. “On our part, we see this as an attack and intimidation against progressive groups who are calling for the protection of workers,”
Catherine Bentolan Ceron was arrested on May 13 for an online post scorning President Duterte.
“To whoever is reading this post, kill Digong Duterte and I will give you a Php 75-million reward. Just send me a private message,” was written on her Facebook post in Cebuano, a local dialect.
Ceron violated Article 142 (Inciting to Sedition) of the Revised Penal Code and the Cybercrime Prevention Act. The bail was up to Php 400,000. Ceron claimed, however, that her Facebook account was hacked and she did not write the post.
Ronald Quiboyen was arrested on May 13 for a Facebook post also condemning President Duterte.
The post, in the Visayan dialect, writes, “‘Yong 50-milyon nyo doblihin ko, gawin kung 100-milyon kung sino makapatay kay Duterte. Andito ako ngayon sa Boracay.” (“That Php50 million bounty, I will double that and make it Php100 million for those who can kill Duterte. I am here in Boracay.”)
He was detained in a police station for violating 142 of the Revised Penal Code or Inciting to Sedition.
Ronnel Mas was arrested by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) on May 11 for an oppositional tweet against the president regarding the shutdown of media company ABS-CBN.
He posted on his account @RonPrince: “I will give 50 million reward kung sino makakapatay kay Duterte #NoToABSCBNShutDown.” (“I will give a 50 million reward to whoever kills Duterte #NoToABSCBNShutDown.”)
He is charged for violating the Republic Act №6713 or Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials as well of Inciting to Sedition, and the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012. After 8 days of detention, Mas’s family was able to post to the Php 72,000 bail, and was released.
Raymond Basilio, Secretary General of the progressive organization Alliance of Concerned Teachers expressed dissent regarding the manner of handling Mas: “Justice, however, is yet to be gained. The Duterte government shall answer for their blatant disregard of teacher Ronnel’s rights and freedoms when the NBI coerced him into admission, presented to and humiliated him in front of the press, and illegally detained him for eight days.”
The Alliance of Concerned Teachers insisted that Mas did not deserve such treatment from authorities: “Teachers’ dire economic state is no secret to the people, especially to the government…Ronnel obviously does not have P50 million to pay as bounty hence his post clearly does not pose any serious threat to the President,” The arrest was a means to scare and establish authority to those who defy them.
In addition, Basilio pointed out that there are more violent and disturbing posts from supporters of the president as well as government officials against critics of the administration which were not met by such similar response to that of Mas’s. He called the incident “… an attack on free speech, on democracy [and] an attempt to sow fear among the people, to dissuade them to speak up about their situation and convictions.” For example, no action has been done to the country’s Foreign Affairs Secretary, Teodoro Locsin, Jr., when he tweeted about the need to murder members of the progressive organization Bagong Alyansang Makabayan.
“… an attack on free speech, on democracy [and] an attempt to sow fear among the people, to dissuade them to speak up about their situation and convictions.”
Reynaldo Orcullo was arrested on May 15 for attacking both the president and his close affiliate, Senator Bong Go, for the way they approach their respective jobs.
A salesman from Nasipit, Agusan del Norte, Mindanao (southern Philippines), he commented in his native dialect on Facebook: “ALAM NA PATTERN, MOSALIDA SI GO KONUHAY SIYA MOHANGYO SA BUANG NGA PANGULO, DIGONG GAGO. BUANG SI DIGONG (“The pattern is obvious, [Bong] Go will then act as if he’ll be the one to persuade the crazy president, stupid Digong. Digong is crazy”).
According to the Philippine National Police (PNP) “.… they would have to face consequences of their act. As always, the police conduct themselves in a normal fashion,”
Lawyer Jose “Chel” Diokno objects the PNP, mentioning crimes like libel forbid warrantless arrests. He also questioned why authorities could arrest a simple salesman who cursed on the president, while the president himself could get away with cursing public figures. Why protect the president and not protect the citizens?
President Duterte has recently criticized Diokno for defending individuals arrested for their social media posts. He accused the human rights lawyer of encouraging people to disobey the law, even poking fun at his physical appearance and his loss during the 2019 midterm elections. “Itong si Diokno, kung magsalita parang janitor at saka tumakbo kang senador, eh hindi ka binoto ng tao. Alam mo kung bakit? Puwede kitang biruin? ‘Wag kang magalit…. Kasi kalaki ng ngipin mo. Magsalita ka, kalahati ng panga mo lumalabas… binabastos kita? Putangina, galit ako sa ‘yo.” (“This Diokno, he speaks like a janitor, and when you ran for senator, no one voted for you. Do you know why? Can I joke with you? Don’t get angry…. Because your teeth are so big. When you talk, your jaw juts out. Why am I rude to you? Son of a bitch, I’m angry with you.”)
In 2015, when he was still a presidential candidate, Duterte cursed Pope Francis in a speech, as his visit to the Philippines caused traffic: “Gusto kong tawagan, ‘Pope putang ina ka, umuwi ka na. ‘Wag ka nang magbisita dito.” (I wanted to call him, ‘Pope, you son of a bitch, go home. Don’t visit here anymore.’”)
In 2016, Duterte also called out European lawmakers in foul language, for calling out his operations regarding the war on drugs in the Philippines: “Hanggang ngayon, doon sa EU, ‘He is known to issue warnings of killing criminals.’ Sabi ko, ‘Fuck you,’”(“Until now, in the EU, they say, ‘He is known to issue warnings of killing criminals.’ I said, ‘Fuck you.’”).
Also for criticizing the Drug war, Duterte uttered a racist remark to former US President Barack Obama, “… you black son of a bitch,” in a 2017 speech.
In a 2019 speech, President Duterte insinuated that cursing is not considered a crime, as it is natural for a person to curse in the heat of an argument. “You know, it’s not even a crime: “The Supreme Court said when you say those words: epithets, curses and slang words in the heat of anger, you tend to use the mother you know — “F” and everything,”
Why protect the president and not protect the citizens?
An anonymous social media user was brought to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) for criticizing the government’s purchase of a Php 2-Billion private jet.
In a Facebook post, the user calls the government’s move a misuse of the taxpayers’ money. The money could’ve been spent on healthcare instead.
The user received a subpoena for violation of Article 154 of the Revised Penal Code, for the “unlawful use of means of publication and unlawful utterances.”
Juliet Espinosa of General Santos City, Mindanao (Southern Philippines) was arrested without warrants on March 27 calling out the incompetency of their mayor for the continuing hunger of the people during the pandemic.
In a Facebook post under the name Yet Rodriguez Enosencio, it writes, “Maraming mamamatay sa gutom if hindi tayo magtutulong-tulong na magreport sa Pangulo na inutil ang ating Mayor…. Panawagan sa walang makain, sugurin ‘nyo na nang sabay-sabay ang Lagao Gym. Nakatambak doon ang pagkaing para sa inyo.” (“Many people will die if we don’t report to the President that our mayor is incompetent. I call on those who have nothing to eat to raid the Lagao Gym. The food packs meant for you are piled up there.”)
The city police arrested Espinosa, a public school teacher, in her home for violation of Article 142 of the Revised Penal Code or Inciting to Sedition, as well as Republic Act №10175 or the Cybercime Law.
On March 31, Espinosa was rushed to the hospital due to hypertension.
Police Major Leo Dofelis, Assistant Chief to the region’s cybercrime unit, said that they will also study the criminal liability of those who shared Espinosa’s post.
Eli Espinosa, son of Juliet Espinosa, was also arrested by the police for trying to stop them from taking his mother.
He will be facing charges for violating Article 151 or resistance or disobedience to a person of authority.
Human Rights Watch has been alarmed by the Duterte administration’s resonse to social media users criticism of the State. Asia Divison researcher Carlos Conde wrote in a statement, “The national and local governments are using their authority… to crack down on critics while proclaiming they are simply going after peddlers of incorrect COVID-19 information.”
Joshua Molo, a campus journalist, was summoned by the officials of Barangay San Fernando, Cabiao, Nueva Ecija, Central Luzon. Molo was engaged in an online political discussion with his former high school teachers, who are all supporters of President Duterte.
Molo’s teachers filed a barangay complaint against their former student, calling the act libelous.
Molo was forced to apologize for “misusing” his social media accounts. The apology video was posted on Facebook and Twitter. Barangay officials also told him that he will be arrested by the police if he continues to criticize the Duterte administration.
Majority of these arrests were charged on individuals with unstable income: public vehicle drivers, sales employees, teachers, artists, farmers, and activists. They have been arrested without warrants, and relied on generous individuals for bail. When the working class work, they are dismissed for not working hard enough for staying at the bottom of the social hierarchy. When they speak of their working conditions, they are called enemies of the state. This is a call to exercise judicial discretion. These people are not here to bring terror. They are here because they have been starving, because every day they live is a day of survival. They speak because the country is still under a deadly pandemic, with 23,732 cases and 1,027 reported deaths. Despite all this, they speak because they know that the government can do better. But despite the sarcasm, the frankness, and disappointment, are they wrong, though?
Wherever you are in the world, you are free to join the Filipinos in clamoring for freedom of speech and democracy! This link provides an in depth discussion regarding House Bill No. 6875. Don’t forget to sign the petition to #JunkTerrorBillNOW!
