Members of the environmental group Kalikasan storm the Pasig City office of St. Gerrard Construction, owned by the Discaya family, on Thursday, September 4.
The protesters hurled mud to symbolize the burden carried by flood victims due to failed flood projects and spray-painted the words “Magnanakaw” and “Korap” on the walls and gate of the property to denounce alleged corruption in flood control contracts awarded to the family’s firms. (Photo by Santi San Juan | MB)
The Pasig City Prosecutor’s Office has dismissed a complaint filed by police against environmental activist Jonila Castro, citing a lack of evidence linking her to the organization of a September protest at the Discaya family's construction company office.
In its resolution, the prosecutor said there was no sufficient evidence to prove Castro led or organized the September rally outside the Discaya compound, where demonstrators expressed anger over alleged corruption.
Police had accused Castro of violating the Public Assembly Act for taking part in a protest without a permit.
However, the prosecutor said the complaint failed to establish her role as an organizer or show that the protest posed a threat to public order.
The National Union of People’s Lawyers (NUPL), which represented Castro, welcomed the ruling, saying it affirmed that peaceful assembly remains protected under the Constitution.
Castro, spokesperson for the group Kalikasan, earlier said the protest was meant to call out irregularities in flood-control projects that have long affected residents.
Authorities said the dismissal highlights the need for police to exercise caution in filing complaints involving protest actions and to respect the right to freedom of expression.
Members of Kalikasan and a disaster survivors' group threw mud during their staged protest on Thursday, Sept. 4, in front of St. Gerrard Construction firm in Pasig, owned by the Discaya family.
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