Free Miguela Peniero & Rowena Dasig
On the 12th of July, community health worker Miguela Peniero and Anakbayan Southern Tagalog Secretary-General Rowena Dasig were subjected to an unlawful arrest by the 85th Infantry Battalion on trumped-up charges of illegal possession of firearms and explosives. This distressing incident occurred during their community research activities at Purok Banaba, Brgy. Caridad Ibaba, Atimonan, Quezon.
Peniero and Dasig were conducting in-depth research on the condition of coconut farmers and fisherfolk communities that currently face danger due to the combined cycle gas turbine power project and liquefied natural gas terminal plant of Atimonan One Energy Inc. This project is criticized by environmental advocates because of its threat to the livelihood of peasants and fisherfolk.
The APCHRP strongly condemns this attack on fellow human rights workers who serve the peasant community. This unwavering dedication of community workers and human rights advocates to serving the masses is the primary target of Terror Law, as it is not the interest of the state to champion the demands of Filipino people for just wages, land reform, and other basic social services.
The APCHRP, together with the broad masses, demand the immediate quashing of the fabricated arrest of Miguela Paniero and Rowena Dasig. Instead of these baseless accusations against government critics and community organizers, the Marcos Jr. administration must persevere in addressing the legitimate demands of the Filipino masses for the protection of the environment, land distribution, and decent life.
