A human rights group has denounced what it called the “delaying tactics” of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) Bacolod in the bail process of development worker Felipe Levy Gelle.
Gelle, a former staff member of Paghidaet sa Kauswagan Development Group (PDG), was arrested on June 24 in Bacolod City on charges of terrorism financing and sedition.
Human Rights Advocates in Negros (HRAN) said CIDG Bacolod has failed to secure and transmit the necessary documents to process Gelle’s bail since June 25.
The group said this has caused undue hardship to Gelle, who serves as a volunteer for HRAN, and violated his right to swift justice.
HRAN pointed out that the terrorism financing charges against other PDG workers arrested on similar accusations had already been dismissed.
The Iloilo Regional Trial Court earlier cleared three development workers of terrorism financing charges, citing lack of jurisdiction and failure to constitute an offense.
HRAN said CIDG Bacolod’s inaction amounts to harassment of Gelle, who remains in detention.
The group called on CIDG Bacolod to stop obstructing due process and act immediately on Gelle’s bail.
Gelle’s arrest came days after UN Special Rapporteur Irene Khan, in a June 19 report to the UN Human Rights Council, condemned red-tagging in the Philippines and called for the abolition of the NTF-ELCAC.
Gelle and other PDG staff had previously reported harassment and surveillance before their arrests.
PDG is an organization promoting agrarian reform and farmers’ rights in Southern Negros.
Paghimutad 