Regional Trial Court Branch 57 in San Carlos City has dismissed the cases against four cultural workers and activists arrested in Escalante City in 2019. The dismissed charges were related to illegal possession of firearms and explosives.
On September 18, 2019, at around 3 p.m., members of the 1st Negros Occidental Provincial Mobile Company and the 79th Infantry Battalion arrested eight individuals, including members of the cultural group Teatro Obrero, the National Federation of Sugar Workers (NFSW), and KADAMAY. The arrests occurred in Barangay Jonob-jonob, Escalante City, as the activists were preparing for a commemoration of the Escalante Massacre.
Those arrested included Joel Guillero (NFSW-North spokesperson), Leon Charita (NFSW-Toboso), Bienvinedo Ducay (NFSW), Kenneth Serondo (Teatro Obrero), Carlo Apurado (Teatro Obrero), Rolly Hernando (Teatro Obrero), Reynaldo Saura (Teatro Obrero), and Aiza Obreso (KADAMAY). They faced accusations of illegal possession of firearms and explosives and were also alleged to be members of the Northern Negros Front of the CPP-NPA.
Media reports indicated that the police recovered various firearms and explosives during the arrest, including five .45 caliber pistols, one .38 caliber pistol, one KG9, three rifle grenades, two improvised dynamites, and 21 petrol bombs.
The court dismissed the cases against Guillero, Charita, Hernando, and Serondo after granting a demurrer to evidence filed by their counsel. The Demurrer argued that the prosecution’s evidence was insufficient to prove the elements of the crimes charged. Two arrested individuals remain in jail pending further resolution of their cases, while two others were not charged.
The Northern Negros Alliance of Human Rights Advocates (NNAHRA) has accused the police and Philippine Army of planting evidence and has stated that the group was conducting an information drive for the upcoming 34th anniversary of the Escalante Massacre when they were detained. NNAHRA also disputed claims by former provincial PNP director Col. Romeo Baleros that the group was planning to disrupt a peace summit.
Human Rights Advocates Negros (HRAN) has praised the judge for upholding judicial independence and integrity and has reiterated calls to end political repression and attacks on activists.
The rights group also highlighted that more than 200 individuals were arrested during the Duterte administration in Negros Island, with 127 remaining in detention.
Earlier this year, Ma. Lindy Perocho and Imelda Sultan, who were also arrested during the Negros crackdown, were released following the dismissal of charges against them.
HRAN continues to call for the immediate release of political prisoners, particularly those who are elderly or ill.
Paghimutad 