The Defend Cagayan Valley Network protested at the Department of Justice in Manila on March 6 to demand the immediate junking of fabricated criminal charges against activists and community leaders from the region. They condemned the treatment of activists, human rights advocates, and development workers as “criminals.”

Collectively known as the “Cagayan Valley 6”, six activists are currently facing trumped-up charges. They are peasant leader Isabelo Adviento (Ka Buting); development worker Cita Managuelod; Makabayan Cagayan Valley member Agnes Mesina; journalist Deo Montesclaros; human rights defender Jackie Valencia; and Kabataan Partylist regional coordinator Walter Villegas.

“The government repeatedly uses fabricated cases to harass and silence those who stand for the rights of farmers and the poor,” Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) secretary general and Tanggol Magsasaka spokesperson Ronnie Manalo said.

The National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers (NUPL) submitted on March 5 to the Supreme Court Chief Justice a letter seeking intervention over continuing threats to the life of Atty. Ma. Catherine Dannug-Salucon. Isabela-based Salucon is one of the founding members of the NUPL. She also represents political detainees in the region and Northern Dispatch Board of Directors member.

The letter reported that Salucon continue to receive threats to her life despite being protected by writs of amparo and habeas data. She said a police officer from the Burgos Municipal Police Station had been assigned to investigate her and gather information about her activities.

The Supreme Court granted Salucon’s petition for the writs of amparo and habeas data on January 23, 2018.

“In an environment where the rhetoric of red-tagging is amplified, especially in the context of counterterrorism laws, the risk of physical harm to counsel deepens, and the chilling effect on legal representation becomes more acute,” the NUPL explained.

The group also urged the Supreme Court to establish safeguards for lawyers, such as clearer procedures for responding to threats and guidelines on red-tagging or guilt-by-association in the courts.