Southern Tagalog Women Seek Congress Intervention for Spate of Illegal Legal Attacks on Activists

Gabriela Southern Tagalog today joined families and human rights advocates in trooping to the House of Representatives to seek the support of members of the House of Representatives on the legal offensives that have been launched by the PNP, AFP, DOJ and the IALAG against Southern Tagalog progressive leaders and activists. They wore black shirts printed with “ACTIVISTS: GUILTY UNTIL PROVEN INNOCENT -DOJ”

Gabriela Women’s Party Representative Liza Maza has taken cudgels for the beleaguered activists and has delivered her privilege speech on the issue, dubbing it as a clear case of political persecution launched by the Inter Agency Legal Action Group.

Two sets of fabricated charges of multiple murder and multiple frustrated murder and; arson and rebellion have been filed against a total of 72 spokespersons, leaders of progressive partylists and mass organizations as well as activists in Southern Tagalog.

“This illegal legal attack against us is a clear attempt to silence the dynamic protest movement in Southern Tagalog that has led protests against the anti-people policies of the Arroyo regime,” said Leona Entena, Gabriela Women’s Party regional coordinator and vice chairperson for Luzon.

Among those facing warrants for these charges are Gabriela Women’s Party 5th Nominee and Gabriela Southern Tagalog Secretary General Helen Asdolo, Gabriela coordinator for Cavite Amy Sto. Tomas, Kaparapatan-ST Secretary General Doris Cuario and PAMANTIK-KMU Secretary General Luz Baculo. Of those chareged, six have already been arrested and detained including KMU counsel Atty. Remigio Saladero.

For Reference: HELEN ASDOLO (GABRIELA-ST Secretary General) 0918-4698497
JANG MONTE (GABRIELA-ST Secretariat) 0917-4049119

SOUTHERN TAGALOG WOMEN REMAIN DEFIANT IN THE FACE OF PERSECUTION, TRUMPED UP CHARGES, ARRESTS

“We will not be cowed and we will not be silenced. We shall remain indignant and fighting in the face of persecution and injustice. Patuloy kaming makikibaka at hindi matatakot.”

This was the statement issued today by women’s group Gabriela Southern Tagalog as various militant Southern Tagalog organizations launched today the Defend-ST, an alliance in defense of the ongoing spate of attacks against preogressive leaders and activists in the Southern Tagalog region.

A total of 72 individuals, all known leaders, spokespersons and members of activist organizations have been charged with multiple murder for the alleged NPA ambush of a police detachment in Puerto Galera, Mindoro last March 3, 2006. Included in the charges and facing possible arrest is Gabriela Southern Tagalog Secretary General and Gabriela Women’s Party 5th Nominee Helen Asdolo and Gabriela provincial coordinator for Cavite, Amelita Sto. Tomas. 18 other women are included in the trumped up charges including Luz Baculo of PAMANTIK-KMU and Doris Cuario and Dina Capetillo of Karapatan.

Of those charged, six individuals have already been arrested, including labor lawyer and KMU counsel Atty. Remigion Saladero.

“Napakahaba na ng karanasan ng aming pakikibaka at marami nang napagdaanan ang Timog Katagalugan. Hindi kami mapa-aatras ng gawa-gawang mga kaso laban sa amin. These trumped up charges are clear attempts to immobilize and silence the militant people’s organizations in the Southern Tagalog region who has successfully survived and remained defiant despite the onslaught of Oplan Bantay Laya I and II.

“We have been witness to Palparan’s terror in Mindoro and we continue to defy the killings, disappearances, arrests and militarization in our region. The Arroyo regime’s slapping of trumped up charges to harass and step up political persecution in the region will fail.”