Lack of money for bail bond hinders release of 3 activists


Regional Trial Court

Five days after they were allowed to post bail for their temporary liberty, three human rights activists are still in detention.

The lawyers of Reina Mae A. Nasino. Alma E. Moran, and Ram Carlo P. Bautista – who were arrested in 2019 and charged with illegal possession of firearms and explosives -- said they could not raise the P1.41 million needed for their bail bond.

Thus, the National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers (NUPL) pleaded the public: “Please help raise their bail money, and bring them home for Christmas.”

The three activists were arrested on Nov. 5, 2019 by the police at the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) office in Tondo, Manila where arresting officers, who were implementing search warrants, allegedly found firearms and explosives which the accused claimed were allegedly planted.

While in detention, Nasino gave birth to a baby girl she named River on July 1, 2020. Her baby, however, died in the care of her family after the court ordered their separation.

Last Dec. 12, Manila Regional Trial Court Judge Paulino Q. Gallegos granted the pleas for bail filed by the three activists. Nasino and Moran’s bail was set at P420,000 each. For Bautista, the bail was set at P570,000.

Thru the NUPL, the court was asked to reduce the bail to P210,000 each for Nasino and Moran, and to P285,000 for Bautista.

NUPL told the RTC: “In addition to their inability to pay the amounts set for bail due to their chosen advocacy, the accused’s character and reputation as activists demonstrate that they have strong ties to the community and will not be flight risks.”

It said that “prior to their detention, all the accused are members of progressive organizations based in Manila. Accused Bautista is the campaign director of the multi-sectoral formation Bayan, while accused Moran is a member of the secretariat of labor union Manila Workers Unity, and Nasino is a coordinator of urban poor organization Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap-Manila chapter (Kadamay-Manila).”

“As full-time human rights workers, they were earning only what was necessary for their daily sustenance. They have no other sources of income and have relied for support from their families, fellow activists, and concerned citizens. They also come from low-income, working-class families,” it added.

It pointed out that in granting bail, “the weight of the evidence against the accused has, at this point, been established and confirmed by this Honorable Court as weak, while the Court of Appeals has already ruled to exclude the evidence allegedly seized from the accused during their arrest for being fruits of the poisonous tree.”

It was not known as of posting if the motion to reduce bail has been acted upon by Judge Gallegos.

TAGS: #Nasino #NUPL #Manila RTC