Karapatan condemns the recent illegal arrest, torture and unjust detention of four Central Luzon activists on the evening of July 29, 2024.

According to reports from Karapatan-Central Luzon, Ma. Theresa Buscayno, Desiree Jaranilla Patuñ-og, Andres Ely and Oliver Millo, all peasant and community organizers, were aboard a white Toyota Innova van traveling along Jose Abad Santos Ave. in Mexico, Pampanga when they were stopped by two other vehicles at around 9:30 p.m. Armed men in Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detention Group (PNP-CIDG) uniforms came out of these vehicles and dragged out Buscayno, Patuñ-og, Ely, Millo and the van’s driver, forced them to kneel and beat them up. They were then forced to lie face down on the ground for around five hours.

“Based on the patterns we observed with other arrests of this nature,” said Karapatan secretary general Cristina Palabay, “the victims are ordered to lie on the ground while the arresting team plants incriminating items such as firearms and explosives inside the vehicle.”

Sure enough, at the inquest proceedings held on July 31, the arresting team made incredible claims that Buscayno and Millo were each armed with an M16 rifle and a hand grenade was allegedly found in Buscayno’s bag. Patuñ-og was alleged to be carrying an M14 rifle and keeping a grenade in her bag. Ely allegedly had a warrant for his arrest and had a rifle grenade and a hand grenade in his possession. All four were charged with illegal possession of firearms and explosives.

When seen by family members and human rights workers, all four had contusions, bruises and pain from being assaulted by the arresting team. Patuñ-og also had a visible wound on her forehead after members of the arresting team repeatedly banged her head on the cemented road. They have not undergone any medical check-up since their arrest.

Buscayno and Patuñ-og are now detained at the regional CIDG office in Camp Olivas, San Fernando, Pampanga while Ely and Millo are being held at the provincial CIDG office, also in San Fernando, Pampanga.

“Buscayno, Patuñ-og, Ely and Millo are but the latest in a growing list of activists and community organizers who have been illegally arrested, tortured and slapped with trumped-up charges,” said Palabay. “The relentless persecution of activists, human rights defenders and other dissenters proves the emptiness of Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s claims that things are better in the human rights front.”