Defending the Defenders: Their fight continues with us

On Friday, March 5, 2021, President Rodrigo Duterte verbally directed the police and military to “finish off” and “kill” all communist rebels in the country.

Two days later, the state agents proved just how grave Duterte’s chilling directive was.

Dubbed as “Bloody Sunday,” March 7, 2021 is now a date that lives in infamy as nine activists were brutally slain during coordinated police operations across the Southern Tagalog region. Among those killed were Emmanuel Many Asuncion, secretary general of Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN) in Cavite; couple Chai Lamite Evangelista and Ariel Evangelista, Batangas-based members of a fisherfolk organization; Puroy de la Cruz and Randy “Pulong” de la Cruz, members of the Dumagat tribe active in the advocacy of indigenous peoples’ rights in Tanay, Rizal; and housing rights activists Abner Esto, Edward Esto, Michael Greg Dasigao, and a certain “Makmak,” all from Rodriguez, Rizal.

The Philippine National Police (PNP)—who miraculously survived unscathed from the multiple raids— was quick to justify the killings, claiming that the victims resisted arrest (“nanlaban”), leaving them with no option but to fire back and kill the subjects. Relatives and witnesses tell a different story: The victims—none of whom were armed rebels—were summarily executed by State agents.

A few days earlier, an assassination attempt against Panay-based lawyer, Atty. Angelo Karlo “AK” Guillen, was made. Atty. Guillen is a consistent human rights advocate and defender of peoples’ rights. A victim of previous red-tagging, Atty. Guillen acts as counsel for 16 members of the indigenous Tumandok tribe who were arrested in Capiz and Iloilo provinces late last year for illegal possession of firearms and explosives and alleged links to communist rebels. He is also among the lawyers in one of the several petitions questioning the constitutionality of the Anti-Terrorism Act, now pending in the Supreme Court.

The dangerous pattern has become too familiar; the script, predictable.

Extra-judicial elimination, initially used against those involved in the illegal drugs trade, is now vigorously employed against legitimate activists, members of community-based groups opposing anti-people policies, and those pushing for more relevant, sustainable, and environment-friendly development alternatives. Support groups and advocates of peoples’ rights, including those providing alternative legal services to the marginalized sectors, are likewise not immune from extra-judicial assaults by agents of the State. They have been consistently red-tagged, harassed, and actually killed.

This murderous upsurge must be directly attributed to this regime’s disrespect for human rights and its total disregard to commitments under international humanitarian law. Contrary to official pronouncements, disregard and disrespect for human rights has become standard in police operations.

The palace spokesperson even stressed that Duterte’s “kill, kill, kill” directive against communist rebels was in line with international humanitarian laws. This act of weaponizing the law, instead of utilizing them to protect the people’s rights as is their true intent, is once again akin to a script employed by powerful State personalities to undermine democracy.

In addition, State agents have been consistent in spearheading malicious attacks against legal activists and advocate groups. Specifically, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the PNP are openly involved in red-tagging individuals and organizations advancing the welfare and defending the interests of marginalized sectors.

In the face of brutal attacks from State agents, what should we do?

Persist in the effort to enlighten the citizenry on the true nature of the assault against progressive groups. These attacks are meant to eliminate all threats to the economic and political system that benefits a few, condemns the wider population to poverty, and perpetuates inequity.

Maximize the remedies available in the legal and administrative processes of government. The window may be narrow, but openings for engagement remain.

Unite in our call for the State to do its duty of conducting an urgent investigation to bring closure to these cases and ensure accountability.

Consistently assert the rights guaranteed under the 1987 Constitution, to include but not limited to freedom of expression and peaceable assembly, right to due process, presumption of innocence, privacy of communication, and freedom of association.

Who then, defends the defenders?

None but ourselves.

Our best defense is to persist in our respective work without let-up, in solidarity with all legal groups working for genuine social change, equipped with a common vision of a just, humane, equitable, inclusive and pluralist society.

The nine activists, and those slain or harassed before them, embody integrity and genuine patriotism. Their lives were not lost in vain; far from it, if we’re inspired to continue or join them in their advocacies. Despite continued threats to freedom and democracy, it is our duty to continue their fight.

In the face of tyranny, we have no choice but to move forward with courage and fight back.