7 Calamba protesters freed on bail

CALAMBA CITY, Laguna – Police released on bail on Tuesday night seven activists who were arrested by the Presidential Security Group (PSG) during the 150th birthday celebration of Dr. Jose Rizal in Calamba City last Sunday morning.

Superintendent Joel Permito, Calamba City police chief, said the arrested activists, Anakpawis members Jeofrey Barreto, 32, and Rodel Badayor, 41, and University of the Philippines-Los Baños students Catherine Gigante, 21; Michael Jason Mozo, 18; Bhen Aquilar, 21; Ynik Ante, 19; and Ruffa Solano, 19, were freed at around 7:45 p.m. Tuesday after posting P1,000 bail each.

Permito said President Aquino was delivering his speech during the celebration of Rizal’s 150th birthday when the PSG nabbed the seven protesters.

Wilrich Jeffrey Nieto, UPLB coordinator of the Kabataan party-list group, said they would continue to demand the dropping of charges for public disturbance filed against the activists.