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Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, December 10) – A peace consultant was killed, while a journalist and a union organizer were arrested in separate incidents on Thursday, coinciding with the annual observance of International Human Rights Day.
The Communist Party of the Philippines said that Alvin Luque, spokesman for the National Democratic Front in Mindanao; and a comrade did not die in a shooting, but were killed by military forces early Thursday in the city of Tandag, Surigao del Sur.
The Philippine National Police previously said that law enforcement officers were supposed to serve an arrest warrant when the suspects opened fire on the officers they were arresting.
However, the CPP noted that it was impossible for Luque, 51, to get into a shooting as he was still recovering from paralysis.
“A few months ago, he was physically weakened and could not walk after suffering intense physical fighting amid heavy enemy operations and counter-guerrilla maneuvers,” the CPP said in a statement.
The PNP said a joint order from the Department of National Defense and the Department of Interior and Local Government offered a reward of P6 million for any information leading to Luque’s arrest.
The PNP added that Luque is the subject of four separate arrest warrants issued by four local courts in Agusan del Sur and Agusan del Norte for kidnapping with serious illegal detention, attempted murder and violation of the Expanded Law to Combat Trafficking in Persons of 2012..
Stopped
On the same day, the police detained a journalist and a union organizer in separate operations.
The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines said Lady Ann Salem was arrested at her home in Mandaluyong City at 9 a.m.
Salem is an editor for the alternative media group Manila Today and a communications officer for the International Association of Women in Radio and Television.
Meanwhile, union organizer Dennise Velasco was also arrested at her residence in Quezon City at 2 am.
On the same day, journalist Lady Ann Salem (left) and union organizer Denisse Velasco (right) were arrested by the police in separate operations.
In a statement, the Police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group – National Capital Region said Salem and Velasco were among seven people arrested today as part of their campaign against loose firearms and criminal gangs.
The arrests were based on search warrants issued by Quezon City Executive Judge Cecilyn Burgos-Villavert.
45 pistols, grenades and ammunition, among others, were seized from Salem. Velasco had small arms, pistols and ammunition seized.
However, the Defend Jobs Philippines labor group claimed that law enforcement officers planted the evidence against Velasco. He added that the arrest occurred a week after the surveillance reported at his headquarters.
“This type of attack and harassment against trade unionists and labor rights defenders must end. We cry badly because Velasco’s arrest was made at the time of Human Rights Day,” the group said in a statement.
The NUJP also criticized Salem’s arrest, noting that Manila Today was one of the alternative outlets that was red-labeled in a recent Senate hearing.
“The arrest of Icy (Salem) is proof that this administration is determined to silence independent and critical Filipino media in order to manipulate the flow of information to the detriment of our people and our democracy,” said NUJP.
The CIDG said cases are being prepared for violations of the Law for the Comprehensive Regulation of Firearms and Ammunition and the Illegal Possession of Explosives against those arrested, including Salem and Velasco.
It takes work and struggle
Meanwhile, Vice President Leni Robredo said that defending human rights and dignity requires work and struggle for its realization.
“The defense of the rights and dignity of each person does not end with symbolic recognition, but requires work and struggle for its full realization,” he said in a statement.
“Fighting for the rights of the voiceless, powerless, unpopular, or even simply those on the other side of an increasingly vicious political divide has never been more difficult, but also not more critical”, Robredo added.
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