Bayan condemns state-backed attacks against Cebu activists
Bagong Alyansang Makabayan condemns the filing of fabricated homicide charges against Cebu-based activists John Ruiz III, who is currently Bayan Muna Central Visayas coordinator; and Jhonggie Rumol, the former executive director and current consultant of Visayas Institute for Human Development Agency, Inc.
This is the latest in a series of state-backed attacks targeting Cebu activists this year. In January, human rights defenders Dyan Gumanao and Armand Dayoha were abducted in Cebu. In May, trumped-up terrorist financing charges were filed against the Community Empowerment Resource Network Inc. and its officers, which included veteran activist Jaime Paglinawan. Throughout the year, leaders of people’s organizations have been red-tagged and vilified for organizing protests against anti-poor projects such as reclamation, demolition, and privatization of public utilities.
The harassment case against Ruiz and Rumol follows an alarming pattern of military officials maliciously linking armed encounters involving the New People’s Army with the work of activists and people’s organizations. Laws and judicial processes are weaponized to justify the crackdown against activists. Authorities spread hate, lies, and disinformation which they use as a basis to slap dubious charges against critics.
Ruiz is a national council member of Bayan and plays a crucial role in coordinating campaigns in the Visayas related to transport strikes, the petition to abolish confidential funds, and the opposition to foreign military bases. He faces persecution because of his work as an activist and human rights defender.
Despite the coordinated and systematic attacks of state forces, Cebu activists and the people’s movement in the region continue to resist the creeping tyranny under the US-Marcos-Duterte regime. We are in solidarity with them as we call on all fellow advocates of democracy and civil liberties to stand with Ruiz, Rumol, Paglinawan, and all activists who are threatened with unjust state reprisals.
Bayan holds the government of Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr accountable for any harm done against activists in Cebu and in the region. Bayan calls on its members and chapters to militantly protest and defend the rights of activists, human rights defenders, and all citizens pushing back against oppression, injustice, and bad governance.
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