The Commission on Human Rights has aired concern over the arrest of a journalist and trade unionists on International Human Rights Day last Dec. 10.
Journalist Lady Ann Salem and trade unionists Dennise Velasco, Mark Ryan Cruz, Romina Raiselle Astudillo, Jaymie Gregorio, Joel Demate, and Rodrigo Esparago were arrested for alleged illegal possession of firearms and explosives.
CHR spokesperson Atty. Jacqueline Ann de Guia said that the arrests are cause for concern because their families and friends are alleging that the firearms and explosives were planted and that the arrests were made in the midst of alleged red-tagging of activists and human rights workers.
De Guia cited an alleged gunbattle between the Philippine National Police and National Democratic Front of the Philippines peace consultants Agaton Topacio and Eugenia Magpantay earlier this month despite their being sickly and elderly.
The couple Topacio and Magpantay died after they allegedly resisted arrest and opened fire while they were being served arrest warrants.
The CHR urged the Philippine National Police to address these concerning arrests.
"It would be then for the government's benefit, particularly the PNP, to address these doubts and allegations of anomalous arrests, especially that several pronouncements were already made by this administration – here and abroad –on its commitment to respect and protect the human rights of all," said De Guia.
De Guia said that there should be actual reforms in addressing these human rights violations.
"For if these pledges will remain as words, then we would not only fail the human rights cause, but this would also render hollow the government's primary assertions that it will abide by its obligation to uphold the rights of all," she said.