Human Rights Advocates Negros (HRAN) and Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan)-Negros condemned the arrest of three development workers in Negros associated with the Paghida-et sa Kauswagan Development Group Incorporated (PDG Inc) on January 2 in Negros Occidental. Federico Salvilla, Perla Jaleco, and Dharyll Albanez were arrested on charges of “terrorism financing” or violating the Terrorism Financing and Suppression Act of 2012.

According to HRAN, police arrested Salvilla in Pulupandan town; Jaleco in Cauayan; and Albanez “voluntarily surrendered” while processing bail for temporary freedom. “HRAN maintains its position that the case is trumped-up against the development workers of PDG Inc,” the group said.

PDG Inc is an organization in the central and southern parts of Negros Island advocating for the rights of farmers and fisherfolk to sustainable agriculture and social reforms. The organization was founded in the 1980s.

It can be recalled that the case first emerged on April 29, 2024, when representatives from the Department of Justice, along with police, visited the office of PDG Inc and five of the accused, including Clarissa Ramos, widow of slain lawyer Atty. Benjamin Ramos, and Felipe Levy Gelle.They were served a subpoena or summons for a DOJ “investigation”.

PMSG Francisco John Dumdumaya, deputized Anti-Money Laundering Council Financial Investigator and member of the Regional Intelligence Division of PNP Regional Police 6 filed the complaint. It was based on testimonies from a self-proclaimed “‘CPP-NPA Tahod Ilahas Command’ finance and logistics officer and commander operating in Negros, Jonel Roy Moreno, as well as Danilo and Jeonna Dela Cruz, claiming to be members of the local fisherfolk association in Cauayan, Negros Occidental.

On December 3, 2024, the DOJ filed six “terrorism financing” charges against five development workers.

“Their arrest underscores the state’s relentless weaponization of the legal system to stifle dissent,” according to Bayan-Negros. The group added that the arrests are part of an “escalating crackdown against progressives…who are campaigning for the rights of poor communities.”

This is also part of the campaign by the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine National Police, and National Task Force-Elcac to manipulate statistics for the status of Negros Island as “Stable Internal Peace and Security (SIPS).” In March 2024, the entire Negros was declared SIPS or free from the “insurgency” threat of the revolutionary movement led by the Communist Party of the Philippines.

HRAN has reportedly been coordinating with families and lawyers of the victims for legal defense and court battles.

The Defend NGOs alliance recorded 69 individuals and 29 non-government organizations nationwide who have experienced red-tagging alongside fabricated terrorism-related cases under the Marcos administration.