PUSHING FOR A PRO-PEOPLE DEVELOPMENT IS NOT A CRIME: Release the arrested development workers in Negros

The Asia Pacific Coalition for Human Rights in the Philippines (APCHRP) vehemently condemns the illegal arrest and detention of three (3) development workers namely Dharyl Albañez, Federico Salvilla, and Perla Pavillar of PDG Inc. On December 3, 2024, the Department of Justice (DOJ) filed six counts of terrorism financing against four staff members of the Paghidaet sa Kauswagan Development Group (PDG Inc.). These development workers were arrested on January 2, 2025, and were charged with baseless accusations. 

Albañez was wrongfully identified as a member of PDG as he is the Executive Director of Kristiyanong Katilingban Lubos Itib Ong Sang Grupo, Inc. (KMALIG). His arrest put into question the validity of the case filed against them. He turned himself over to the authority along with PDG staff on the same day and posted a bail of Php 400,000.00 for two counts of alleged violations of Section 8, RA 10168, or the Terrorism Financing Prevention and Suppression Act of 2012.

PDG Inc. and KMALIG are two leading organizations defending the human rights in Negros. They strongly opposed the expansion of the palm oil plantation in Candoni, Negros Occidental owned by the Consuji family, a 2-billion-peso enterprise. This expansion has raised serious concerns about the potential displacement of residents from Barangays Gatuslao, Agboy, and Payauan and it threatens the livelihoods of farmers and indigenous peoples living in these areas. Part of their struggle also involves opposing land use conversion, and leveling of lands, and advocating for environmental protection against giant corporations exploiting and destroying nature for profit, disregarding the welfare of local communities and future generations.

The fabricated charges against human rights defenders are designed to silence their efforts on behalf of large corporations that are destroying the environment. Organizers and citizens who resist these actions are facing intimidation, threats, and harassment. The APCHRP urgently calls on the government of Marcos Jr. to dismiss these baseless cases against development and human rights workers. The government of Marcos Jr. and the National Task Force to End Local Communists Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) must halt in weaponizing the law violating the fundamental right to organize and fight for the welfare of the people. The Marcos government must listen to the people, who are most affected by the unchecked greed for wealth and profit of big and foreign corporations. His government must take immediate action to protect both the human rights of the ordinary people and the environment.

We urge the international community and human rights organizations to support the call for the dismissal of these charges, the immediate dropping of the case, and the immediate release of Salvilla, and Paviliar.

Sign the Petition and Add your name: https://defendngoalliance.wixsite.com/defend-ngos-alliance/post/sign-on-statement-to-call-for-the-immediate-release-and-drop-the-trumped-up-charges-against-five-dev?fbclid=IwY2xjawH1lBNleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHaWsqRGX4dyAUXSl1ijGjPcKwoVwBDU83s4g2qkJYoxCxqSNPQkekIRSgA_aem_J9VgKc9X7rmMh8-R5hTTgg

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