Human rights groups and Tanggol Magsasaka reiterated their call for the dismissal of the “terrorism financing” case and violation of the Terrorism Financing Prevention and Suppression Act of 2012 against six activists from Cagayan Valley. In a press conference on April 21, they emphasized that the case is only being used to harass activists and stop them from defending the rights of the people.

It can be recalled that on January 10, charges were filed against Karapatan National Council former member Jakie Valencia; Anakpawis Partylist nominee and former regional coordinator Isabelo Adviento;, Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP)-Isabela coordinator Cita Managuelod; Makabayan-Cagayan Valley regional director Agnes Mesina; Kabataan Partylist regional coordinator Walter Villegas; and environmental activist and journalist Deo Montesclaros.

Tanggol Magsasaka spokesperson and KMP secretary Ronnie Manalo said that the cases are a “clear-cut case of political persecution meant to instill fear among people’s organizations and the grassroots movements.”

No less than 166 individuals have been charged or designated as “terrorists” under the Anti-Terrorism Act and TFPSA. Meanwhile, 17 non-government organizations, most of which are involved in humanitarian and human rights activities, have had their bank accounts “frozen” due to the charges filed.

It can also be recalled that Mesina and Villegas were charged with fabricated cases of illegal possession of firearms and explosives in 2024. Mesina also faces an additional charge for violation of the Anti-Terrorism Act.

Adviento, on the other hand, was acquitted in April 2024 of the same fabricated cases but is now facing a new case.

The group also strongly condemned the ongoing red-tagging and vilification campaign against Makabayan senatorial candidates and progressive partylist groups across Cagayan Valley provinces. They call this a widespread and fascist scheme to discredit and disable opposition voices during the electoral season.

“We call on the courts to pierce through the NTF-ELCAC’s web of lies and junk these bogus charges. We also urge all freedom-loving Filipinos to rise against tyranny disguised as counterterrorism and defend our shrinking democratic spaces,” KMP and Tanggol Magsasaka said.