The Marcos regime’s Philippine National Police filed charges of sedition, inciting to sedition, and Cybercrime Law violation against Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) president Renato Reyes Jr. He reported that the Department of Justice (DoJ) summoned him on January 15, and wiil again on January 29, for a preliminary investigation into the said complaints.

The cases stem from anti-corruption protests and confrontations in Mendiola on September 21, 2025. According to Reyes Jr, the charges are purely based on his attendance at the protest that day and on his being a known activist.

“The accusations against me are outright lies, and the sedition charges are completely fabricated,” he said. He expressed confidence that this latest case of repression against him and the broader mass movement will fail.

Aside from Reyes Jr, two youth activists have reportedly received subpoenas from the DoJ in connection with similar cases. The Philippine National Police–Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) filed the complaints with the DoJ in October 2025.

The PNP-CIDG charged a total of 97 unnamed individuals with conspiracy or intent to launch rebellion or insurrection, sedition, and inciting to sedition. PNP officials then boasted that this was only the first round of cases and that a second wave was already being readied.

Reyes Jr said the PNP’s campaign of intimidation and targeting of the entire anti-corruption movement in the country is deeply alarming. He said the Marcos regime and the PNP are sending a clear threat of prosecution and criminalization to those who dare to speak and stand up.

“This fascist attack aims to break the public’s resolve to join movements demanding accountability from corrupt officials and the rotten system,” he added. He noted the regime’s particular targeting of student leaders who now stand as the strongest voices against the Marcos regime’s corruption.

Reyes Jr expressed confidence that repression will not break the people’s resolve to demand accountability but continue protesting against systemic plunder of public funds. “Repression only gives the people more reason to participate in collective action,” he said.

Bayan’s allied organizations expressed support for Reyes Jr. “We call on our fellow workers and citizens disgusted with corruption, abuse of power, and impunity: let us support Ka Nato, the student leaders, and all those being slapped with fabricated cases for fighting corruption!” declared the Kilusang Mayo Uno, one of Bayan’s member organizations.