Rebellion raps vs 7 activists dismissed

MANILA, Philippines — A court in Abra has junked the rebellion charges filed against seven activists who were tagged by the military as communist rebels.

In a decision issued on Thursday, Bangued Regional Trial Court Branch 2 Judge Corpuz Cristi Alzate dismissed the charges for lack of probable cause.

Cordillera Peoples Alliance chairperson Windel Bolinget, CPA leaders Jennifer Awingan and Stephen Tauli, development workers Sarah Abellon and Florence Kang, peasant rights activist Lucia Lourdes Jimenez and community journalist Niño Joseph Oconer were charged with rebellion in December after they were linked to the ambush of four soldiers in Sitio Kutop, Barangay Gacab in Malibcong, Abra in October.

Awingan was arrested at her residence in Barangay Pinsao in Baguio City on Jan. 20. She was freed after posting bail of P90,000.

Her co-accused posted bail on Feb. 20.

Bolinget hailed the court ruling as ”a victory in continuing the struggle of the people for peace, justice and freedom.”

“As we have repeatedly said, the case of rebellion or insurection against us is baseless and fabricated... We hope this will be the last of trumped-up charges against activists,” he said.

CHR probe

Meanwhile, the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) launched an investigation into the reported disappearance of activists Gene Roz de Jesus and Dexter Capuyan.

“The CHR calls for exhaustive efforts in the search for two activists... who were reported missing after allegedly meeting at Golden City, SM Hypermarket in Taytay, Rizal,” the commission said in a statement issued yesterday.

The CHR said its regional office in Calabarzon is conducting the probe in response to the request of the family of one of the victims and allegations by netizens that the two are under the custody of state security forces.

De Jesus, 27, is information and communications officer of the Philippine Task Force for Indigenous Peoples’ Rights.

Capuyan, 56, is an activist leader based in La Trinidad, Benguet. The two graduated from the University of the Philippines in Baguio.

The Cordillera Human Rights Alliance suspects government forces have taken custody of the two.

Capuyan, who is suspected as to be an officer of the Chadi Molintas Command of the New People’s Army, reportedly has a P1.8-million bounty on his head.

The CHR said several law enforcement, security and intelligence agencies based in Rizal denied they have taken Jesus and Capuyan.

“This latest case of desaparecidos manifests the continuing vulnerability of activists to involuntary disappearance and its other possible implications such as illegal detention, torture and other cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment,” the CHR said. — Elizabeth Marcelo