Farmers’ group leader Joseph Canlas died on Tuesday morning, May 11, after suffering acute respiratory failure and testing positive for COVID-19 while under hospital arrest, Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) announced. He was 59 years old.

Canlas has been in detention since March 30 on trumped-up charges of illegal possession of firearms, ammunitions, and explosives after authorities raided the Alyansa ng mga Magbubukid ng Gitnang Luzon (AMGL) office in Mabalacat, Pampanga. He was the vice-chairperson of the Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) and chairperson of its Central Luzon affiliate AMGL.

He was rushed to the hospital, Sunday evening, after experiencing breathing difficulties and speech stutter. Initial laboratory findings showed that he suffered acute respiratory failure and needed intubation. He was, however, only transferred to an intensive care unit (ICU) room the following day. By Monday, he was already in a coma due to low oxygen levels, even with the help of a mechanical ventilator.

Canlas has also been a suspect COVID-19 patient after a fellow inmate tested positive of the coronavirus. He had just finished his quarantine time inside the jail’s facility prior to his hospitalization. On Sunday, KMP reported that Canlas contracted COVID-19, after undergoing his first testing since his arrest. The group “highly suspects” that Canlas got the virus while inside the jail facility.

KMU also criticized how jail officials initially downplayed Canlas’s condition after exhibiting stroke-like symptoms on Saturday. “Ipinagpalagay pang "umaarte" lang nang dumaing siya sa mga opisyal ng BJMP. Nang maidala sa ospital, napakalubha na ng lagay niya na di na umuubra kahit mga aparato sa intensive care unit,” their statement read.

The KMP will stage an indignation protest at the Commission on Human Rights this afternoon, May 11, to condemn and demand justice for Canlas’ untimely death. Lawyers are also planning to file charges against the Pampanga police and Angeles City jail officials for possible criminal neglect.

In a statement, KMP blamed the Duterte government for Canlas’s death. “We could only blame the Duterte government for Canlas’ untimely death. The state’s brutal fascism killed Canlas who was exposed to COVID while in detention and under the custody of the BJMP. His unjust detention led to the swift deterioration of his health condition,” they said. ●