‘Awit at Dasal para sa Kalayaan’ virtual concert calls for the freedom of the children’s and women’s rights advocate Sally Ujano

Music became a tool to ignite hope at the recently concluded “Awit at Dasal para sa Kalayaan” virtual concert last Dec. 6, 2021. An event filled with prayers and Filipino artistry, this online musical event was done with a mission to call for the dismissal of children’s and women’s rights advocate Salome “Sally” Ujano’s case.

Organized by children’s rights and women’s rights groups, the Musicians for Democracy, and the family and friends of Sally, the online gathering was streamed on the Free Sally Ujano campaign Facebook page. It featured a number of artists who supported her and her battle, and the human rights community. Performers included Rom Dongeto, Skarlet Brown, Jug Honeyluv, Gising Diwa Collective, Village Idiots, Sam Valdecantos, Kat Darling, Marben Romero, ALPA (Advance League of People’s Artists), and Wham Rebolledo of the Samahan ng Mamamayan ng ZOTO, who shared their original songs for the event.

“Napaka-halaga na all hands on deck. Siyempre malaking oras din ang ginugugol namin to defend her, pero kailangan patuloy kaming kikilos para ipakilala kung sino si Sally at kung bakit siya dapat palayain (It is important to have all hands on deck. We are devoting much of our time to defend her, but we must continue to act so people will know who Sally is and why she has to be set free),” said Amihan Abueva, regional executive director of Child Rights Coalition Asia. “Everybody should realize that the State must protect not only women and children, but also rights defenders who protect women and children.”

Sally was arrested on Nov. 14, 2021 for her alleged acts of rebellion in Lucena City in 2005.

According to newly-appointed Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Dionardo Carlos, Ujano has been on the PNP’s most wanted list for more than 15 years.

Various civil society organizations, however, publicly protested her arrest and detention, calling these unjust and unfounded. They claim that Ujano was in the public eye for three decades working to end trafficking of women and children, and providing assistance and counseling to survivors of domestic violence.

“Hindi po kaaway ng estado si Sally Ujano, bagkus, siya ay kasangga nito sa pag-protekta at pagtatanggol sa mga karapatan ng mga kababaihan at mga bata (Sally is not an enemy of the State, instead, she is its partner in protecting and defending the rights of women and children),” Abueva explained.

The arraignment is now scheduled for Dec. 14, 2021 pending resolution of Motion to Quash.

Watch the ‘Awit at Dasal para sa Kalayaan’ virtual concert here.