Three development workers from the Paghidaet sa Kauswagan Development Group (PDG) Inc. were arrested yesterday, January 2, 2025, on charges of terrorism financing.

The individuals detained are Dharyl Albañez, Federico Salvilla, and Perla Pavillar. The arrests follow charges filed by the Department of Justice (DOJ) on December 3, 2024, which accuse the three, along with two other PDG staff members, of involvement in funding terrorist activities.

PDG is a development organization based in Southern Negros that advocates for agrarian reform, sustainable agriculture, and the rights of small farmers and fisherfolk. The organization has faced red-tagging and harassment in the past, including the assassination of its executive director, Atty. Benjamin Ramos Jr., in 2018.

Prior to the arrests, several development workers, including those now charged, reported increased surveillance and harassment.

Perla Jaleco, one of the accused, shared that surveillance had intensified since receiving a subpoena. She recalled an incident during a relief mission in June, where a white van was seen trailing their team.

Jaleco also noted an occurrence on July 2, when three motorcycles were stationed near her home, and neighbors were questioned about her movements. (Related: https://paghimutadnegros.wordpress.com/2023/10/18/southern-negros-locals-decry-military-harrassment-disinformation-campaign/)

In addition, two witnesses supporting the PDG staff have spoken out about military harassment. Fisherfolk leader Joselito Macapobre reported being threatened by military agents, while peasant leader Marvin Figuerora described multiple attempts by the military to pressure him into retracting his support for PDG. (Related: https://paghimutadnegros.wordpress.com/2024/07/05/witnesses-coerced-to-withdraw-testimony-in-support-of-devt-workers-charged-with-financing-terrorism/)

In response to the arrests, Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN) Negros condemned the charges as “unfounded and baseless.” According to their statement, “The arrests are part of Marcos Jr.’s escalating crackdown against progressive development workers and activists who tirelessly champion the rights of marginalized communities.”

According to BAYAN Negros, this campaign part of the administration’s attempt to shift the focus from addressing so-called “internal threats” to redirecting resources toward combating alleged “external threats.” This shift, BAYAN argues, is part of the Marcos administration’s broader agenda and reflects its alignment with U.S. interests, particularly amid rising tensions with China.

“We condemn the use of dubious witnesses like Jonel Moreno, whose forced statements are being used to wrongfully link PDG staff to unfounded accusations of terrorism financing,” the statement also reads.

BAYAN has called for their immediate release, urging that “all freedom-loving Filipinos and the international community demand the immediate release of Dharyl Albañez, Federico Salvilla, and Perla Pavillar.”

The three are currently detained in Cauayan and Pulupundan jail.