KARAPATAN calls for the urgent dismissal of charges of illegal assembly against two MAKABAYAN senatoriables–transport leader Modesto “Mody” Floranda and urban poor leader Eufemia “Mimi” Doringo for alleged violations of Batasang Pambansa 880 (BP 880) or the Public Assembly Act.

The complaint also included Ruben “Bong” Baylon, secretary general of PISTON, as well as Manibela transport group leaders Mario Valbuena and Regie Manlapid, filed by elements of the Philippine National Police (PNP), citing the August 14 protest rally in Welcome Rotonda, Manila, against the PUV modernization program.

“The baseless charges against Floranda and Doringo and other progressive leaders are clearly meant to harass them. Such charges violate their right to peaceably assemble and petition the government for redress of grievances,” said Atty. Sol Taule, Karapatan Deputy Secretary General.

BP 880, which was signed into law by the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos Sr. in 1985, has been used and abused over again by administrations to restrict the right of the people to peaceful assembly by requiring application for permits before conducting protests.

Instead of addressing the pressing issues of jeepney drivers that will result to their loss of livelihood, the PNP usually downplays the reasons why protests and rallies are conducted, saying it is causing heavy traffic, annoyance and irritation to drivers and commuters.

“Laws such as the BP 880 are systematically used by the state to violate people’s civil and political rights. There is no reason for such kind of Marcosian law to exist in this day and age, it must be repealed now,” added Taule.

KARAPATAN calls on the Filipino people to denounce these harassment charges, and continue to join the jeepney drivers in protest of the the anti-driver, anti-people PUV modernization program.