By Charissa Luci-Atienza
Gabriela Women's Party condemned on Thursday the supposed recent abduction of a human rights defender and wife of political prisoner in Tagum City, Davao del Norte.
Gabriela Women's Party
Gabriela Reps. Arlene Brosas and Emmi de Jesus branded as alarming the abduction of 42-year old Racquel Quintano on Wednesday morning.
"We strongly condemn this intensified wave of terror against human rights advocates under the Duterte regime," they said in a statement.
Citing an urgent alert from Karapatan - Southern Mindanao region, they said Quintano was waiting for a jeepney in Barangay Madaum going to Tagum City when a black Toyota Vios suddenly stopped in front of her.
An unidentified man went out of the car and forcibly dragged her inside the vehicle, the women lawmakers said.
According to Karapatan - SMR, Quintano has been active in calling for the immediate release of all political prisoners in the country - including her husband who has been slapped with trumped up charges. She is an active member of Kalumonan, an organization of kin and supporters of political prisoners in Southern Mindanao.
"We demand the surfacing of Quintano at the soonest time and call on all peace and rights advocates to stage an indignation over the impunity and escalating attacks on human rights and civil liberties," Brosas and De Jesus said.
"We reiterate our stance that the extended martial law in Mindanao has only emboldened rights abusers in carrying out brazen operations like this," they said.