HUMAN rights group Karapatan urged United Nations (UN) Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Opinion and Expression Irene Khan on Tuesday to look into the defamation charges to be filed by the state against two supposed environmental activists, saying it is an attack on free speech.
Last Monday, the Department of Justice (DoJ) recommended the filing of defamation charges against Jonila Castro and Jhed Tamano for claiming that they were snatched by military personnel in September last year.
The National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) has stood by its report that the two women, who signed an affidavit admitting they were members of the communist New People’s Army, had sought the help of the military after abandoning the rebel group.
Karapatan Secretary General Cristina E. Palabay said: “They represent the victims of abduction and enforced disappearance who are being gagged in speaking out the truth.”
In a statement on Tuesday posted on Facebook, Ms. Castro and Ms. Tamano urged the DoJ to reconsider the defamation charges, saying the move was just meant to harass and silence those speaking out against the government.
“We are also urging the Supreme Court to pass our petition for a Writ of Amparo and Habeas Data since four months have passed,” they said, citing legal remedies granting protection to individuals from public officials.
On Sunday, Ms. Khan questioned the prolonged detainment of human rights defenders Marielle Domequil and Alexander Abinguna as well as journalist Frenchie Mae Cumpio. They have been imprisoned on illegal firearms charges since 2020.
The UN expert is in the Philippines for a 10-day visit that involves discussions with state officials, civil society groups and other human rights groups on freedom of expression issues and challenges in the Philippines. — John Victor D. Ordoñez
