A farmers’ group on Wednesday called for the dismissal of the cases against the Anakpawis leader and six volunteers of the partylist group who conducted relief operations in Norzagaray, Bulacan last April.
Former Anakpawis partylist representative Ariel Casilao and the relief volunteers were charged for violation of Republic Act 11332 or the Mandatory Reporting of Notifiable Diseases and Health Events of Public Health Concern Act and for Inciting to Sedition.
They were charged following their warrantless arrest and illegal detention for violating quarantine protocols, after they delivered food packs at Barangay Bigte to residents.
“We appeal to the good judge Julie Rita Suarez-Badillo of the Norzagaray Municipal Trial Court to dismiss the usurpation of authority case against Casilao and the inciting to sedition charge against the relief volunteers,” said Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) chair Danilo Ramos said.
Badillo already dismissed the charges for violation of RA 11332 in June. The court ruling said that traveling outside the residence without a travel permit or a quarantine pass does not qualify as non-cooperation in this case.
Authorities held the volunteers for The Sagip Kanayunan and Tulong Anakpawis relief drive at a checkpoint and confiscated copies of Pinoy Weekly, a publication for the farmers.
Casilao had gone to the Norzagaray town when he was informed about the arrest, but he was also placed under police custody and charged for the same offense.
“There’s nothing seditious in stating actual facts and exposing the truth about the situation of the people seeking aid from the Duterte administration,” Ramos said.
The KMP leader said the relief team was only aiding the affected sectors that did not receive support from the government during the lockdown.