The Regional Trial Court Branch 42 has dismissed the charges against the Mabinay 6, peasant and youth rights advocates arrested in 2018, after nearly seven years of imprisonment.

They were captured by the 62nd Infantry Battalion in Barangay Luyang, Mabinay, Negros Oriental on March 3, 2018, and accused of illegal possession of firearms allegedly found during a supposed encounter.

The Mabinay 6, as they are known to be called, include, Myles Albasin, a 21-year-old community journalist and a mass communication graduate from University of the Philippines Cebu at the time of her arrest; Randel Hermino hails from a family of sugarcane workers in Negros Oriental; Carlo Ybañez grew up in an urban poor community in Cebu; Joemar Indico, Joey Vailoces, and Bernard Guillen are peasant youth organizers.

Human Rights Advocates Negros (HRAN) said the court ruling confirmed the falsity of the accusations.

“Clearly the court found that the guns and ammunitions are planted evidence to justify the illegal arrest,” HRAN stated.

The group said the seven years of imprisonment amounted to a grave injustice.

“Those responsible for falsifying testimonies should be the ones hauled to jail,” HRAN added.

HRAN also denounced what it called a systematic policy of criminalizing activists and community leaders.

“We deplore the filing of trumped-up charges against members of social organizations defending the rights of poor farmers and farmworkers,” the group said.

They likewise condemned continuing militarization in Negros communities.

Kabataan Party-list Negros Oriental also welcomed the decision but demanded accountability from state forces.

“Kinahanglan manubag ang mga responsable niini nga operasyon — gikan sa militar hangtod sa mga opisyal sa gobyerno nga nagpas-an sa NTF-ELCAC, nga mao ang pangunahon nga tigpatunhay sa red-tagging, hinimò-himò nga kaso, ug terror tagging sa kabataan ug katawhan,” the group said. (Those responsible for this operation must be held accountable — from the military to the government officials behind the NTF-ELCAC, which is the main enforcer of red-tagging, fabricated charges, and terror-tagging against the youth and the people.)

“Panawagan nato ang pagbuwag sa NTF-ELCAC ug ang pagbalhin sa pondo niini ngadto sa edukasyon, panglawas, ug mga serbisyong panlipunan nga tinuod nga mapuslan sa katawhan,” it added. (We call for the abolition of the NTF-ELCAC and the rechanneling of its funds toward education, healthcare, and social services that truly serve the people.)

Both groups renewed calls to abolish the NTF-ELCAC and redirect its funds toward education, healthcare, and social services.