A former UP student regent, along with three peasant and community organizers, were illegally seized and tortured on charges of illegal possession of firearms in Mexico, Pampanga, on Monday.
Witnesses reported that Desiree Jaranilla Patuñ-og, former UP student regent from 1997 to 1998, along with peasant organizers Theresa Buscayno, Andres Ely, Oliver Millo, and their driver were dragged out of their white Toyota Innova van by armed men in Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) uniforms while travelling along Jose Abad Santos Avenue at around 9:30 in the evening.
The victims were forced to kneel and were ordered to lay face-down on the ground for at least five hours before they were transferred to separate police detention cells in Pampanga, according to a post by Karapatan Central Luzon II.
The victims bore contusions and pain from the assault, including Patuñ-og, who had a visible wound from hitting her head on the cemented road. Despite all four experiencing medical issues before their arrest, they have not received any medical check-ups after the incident.
In an inquest proceeding on Wednesday, all four were charged with illegal possession of firearms and ammunition, violating Section 28 of Republic Act 10591 and 9516. Buscayno and Patuñ-og were allegedly keeping a hand grenade in their bags, and the four victims were reportedly seen holding rifles.
But planting evidence of firearms and explosives on activists and organizers has been a common tactic by the state forces to silence advocates. The victims strongly denied the alleged possession of illegal firearms and explosives and insisted that the evidence was planted.
Buscayno and Patuñ-og are currently detained at the regional CIDG office in Camp Olivas while Ely and Millo are held at the provincial CIDG office, both in San Fernando, Pampanga.
“KARAPATAN Central Luzon strongly condemns this brazen physical assault, intimidation, and evidence planting against these dedicated peasant and community organizers. Their selfless service to oppressed peasants and indigenous people in Central Luzon is vital for successful land assertions and food production in the region,” Karapatan Central Luzon II said. ●
