The 85th IB on August 2 illegally arrested 19-year-old Fatima Banjawan in Santa Elena, Camarines Norte. She was tortured and forced to admit being a member of the New People’s Army under duress. Banjawan is a peasant organizer and Gabriela Southern Tagalog member.

Tanggol Camarines Norte and Karapatan-Bicol said soldiers took Banjawan to the 85th IB camp and detained her without due process. She was tortured for three days under military custody.

She was blindfolded and at least 10 soldiers took turns threatening her. A gun was pointed at her and she was told that she will be digging her own grave.

On learning of her arrest, the Banjawan family immediately went to the military camp, along with members of Gabriela and Karapatan-Southern Tagalog and Karapatan-Bicol. Upon arrival, they discovered that she was taken to the Provincial Hall of Justice in Daet, Camarines Norte to undergo an inquest.

Today, August 5, Banjawan’s family was able to visit and speak with her, together with the paralegals of Karapatan at the Provincial Hall of Justice in Daet. She told them how the soldiers’ abused her rights.

The group demanded Banjawan’s immediate release, calling her arrest political persecution.