2021 National Human Rights Situation Report
13
City, Cavite for the submission of death certificates of the victims. The case remains under
investigation.40
Arbitrary Arrest
58
Simultaneous raids were carried out by the PNP together with the AFP to serve search
warrants for loose firearms and illegal possession of explosives. Nine activists were killed,
most of them in their own homes, six in Rizal province, two in Batangas, and one in
Cavite; and at least four others were arrested. Karapatan identified five of the fatalities as
Emmanuel ``Manny” Asuncion, Mark Lee Bacasno, Melvin Dasigao, Ariel Evangelista,
and Chai Lemita Evangelista. The ten year old son of the Evangelistas survived the raid by
hiding under the bed.41
59
The CHR Regional Office IV-CALABARZON has conducted a motu proprio investigation
on the alleged unlawful arrest of Sandy Delos Santos, a person with disability, at Barangay
Daniw, Victoria, Laguna. This incident was posted on Facebook dated 21 April 2021.42
60
The IOC has already inquired about the actions taken by the Victoria Municipal Police
Station (VMPS), Barangay Daniw, and the MSWD of Victora, Laguna. The CHR
Regional Office IV-CALABARZON, however, has yet to receive any response from the
said Offices.43
61
The first known anti-terror law case was filed against Aetas Jasper Gurung and Junior
Ramos. It was junked by the Olongapo Regional Trial Court, as it was a case of mistaken
identities. Based on a decision made by RTC Branch 97 Judge Melani Fay Tadili dated
July 15, “After a careful examination of the records, the Court holds that the prosecution
failed to discharge the burden of proving the identities of the accused as perpetrators of the
crime of violation of Section 4 of Republic Act No. 11479. Thus, the case for violation of
this law against the accused must be dismissed”. This was followed by the order of release
of Gurung and Ramos who have been detained since August 2020 in Olongapo City Jail.44
62
They were accused of being members of the New Peoples’ Army (NPA), who shot at
soldiers, killing one, and in effect spread a message of fear. It was pointed out that there were
inconsistencies in what the soldier witnesses say on the stand and their sworn statements.
They said that they were shown pictures of Gurung and Ramos before the operation
and both were also seen during the gunfight, but these were not included in their sworn
statements.45
40
Commission on Human Rights Regional Office IV-CALABARZON. (2021, July). Report on the Human Rights
Situation of Disadvantaged, Marginalized and Vulnerable Sectors in CALABARZON ( January to June 2021).
41
Andrade, J., Subingsubing, K., & Ramos, M. (2021). PNP defends Calabarzon raids, says activists fought back. Retrieved
from https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1404602/pnp-defends-raids-says-activists-fought-back
42
Commission on Human Rights Regional Office IV-CALABARZON. (2021, July). Report on the Human Rights
Situation of Disadvantaged, Marginalized and Vulnerable Sectors in CALABARZON ( January to June 2021).
43
Commission on Human Rights Regional Office IV-CALABARZON. (2021, July). Report on the Human Rights
Situation of Disadvantaged, Marginalized and Vulnerable Sectors in CALABARZON ( January to June 2021).
44
Buan, L. (2021, July 19). Mistaken identity: Aetas acquitted in first known anti-terror law case. RAPPLER. Retrieved
December 9, 2021, from https://www.rappler.com/nation/olongapo-trial-court-decision-aetas-charged-anti-terrorlaw-case/
45
Buan, L. (2021, July 19). Mistaken identity: Aetas acquitted in first known anti-terror law case. RAPPLER. Retrieved
December 9, 2021, from https://www.rappler.com/nation/olongapo-trial-court-decision-aetas-charged-anti-terrorlaw-case/