The Antipolo City Regional Trial Court Branch 139 dismissed the case of illegal possession of firearms and ammunition state forces filed against Eugene Eugenio, a government employee leader and unionist. Karapatan-Rizal welcomed this victory and thanked the victim’s family and supporters for the call against the fabricated case.

State forces arrested Eugenio on March 7, 2021, a day now known as Bloody Sunday because of the simultaneous and widespread killings and arrests of activists in Southern Tagalog. Eugenio became a target of this attack for serving as president of the Advancement of Rights and Responsibilities of Organized Workers (ARROW)-Antipolo, a Courage member organization.

Eugenio is a well-known government employees’ rights advocate. He leads the campaign in the city and province for higher wages, job security, and political freedom for employees.

According to Karapatan-Rizal, the case against the victim was dismissed because of serious errors committed by state forces during the arrest. This is one among previous cases where activists, progressives, and unionists are arbitrarily accosted and arrested.

While recognizing the dismissal of the case as a step towards justice, the group demands holding accountable those responsible for the grave human rights violations against Eugenio and other victims. These violations include fabricated and defective search warrants, planted evidence, unjust detention and arrest, and violations of due process promoted by the National Task Force-Elcac.

“The acquittal of Eugene Eugenio is a victory not only for him but for the collective resistance of all those fighting against oppression. It is a reminder that despite state repression, truth and justice will ultimately prevail,” says Saara Rapisora, Karapatan Rizal coordinator.

Karapatan-Rizal continues to call on the Marcos regime to release all political prisoners. The group said most political prisoners in Rizal are farmers.