The Philippines’ Commission on Human Rights called on the National Police to answer doubts raised over alleged “anomalous arrests” done by authorities on Human Rights Day.
Commission spokesperson Jacqueline Ann de Guia said authorities should explain the arrest of at least seven activists who were accused of possession of firearms and explosives.
“It would be then for the government’s benefit, particularly the [National Police], to address these doubts and allegations of anomalous arrests,” said De Guia in a statement.
She said the commission would conduct its own investigation into the arrests of journalist Lady Ann Salem, editor of the Manila Journal, and six trade union organizers.
The seven were arrested in early morning raids on December 10, International Human Rights Day, and were all charged with illegal possession of firearms and explosives.
Edre Olalia of the National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers said illegal possession of firearms and explosives have become the go-to charges of police against political dissidents because search warrants could be procured by simply going through court motions.
“It is easy to plant these materiel, whose possession are monopolized by the police and military, especially if done at dawn or night and when the arrested persons are first segregated, controlled or neutralized and have no chance to prevent or witness such anomaly,” said the lawyer in a statement.
He said because possession of explosives is “normally a non-bailable offense,” suspects “rot in jail and need to go through a rigorous process over time to prove that the evidence of your guilt is not strong for you to avail of bail if you are lucky.”
