After four days, the three young activists from the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) who were arrested by the police on September 19 in Quiapo, Manila have been released. The youth were painting graffiti to commemorate the 52nd anniversary of martial law and first US-Marcos regime’s dictatorship when abducted.

Two of the activists are members of Panday Sining while one is a member of the League of Filipino Students. They were released today, September 23, due to the lack of evidence of the charges filed by the Manila Police District Headquarters.

“It goes to show how state fascism will never defeat the Filipino youth’s fight for national democracy,” Mariel Orpiada, Panday Sining national president, said. He said that these young activists also showed the true essence of being the people’s scholar.

Panday Sining emphasized that the calls painted by activists on the walls highlighted the call of the Filipino masses, including the clamor of the families to surface all their disappeared loved ones.

Orpiada said they will not allow the Marcos regime’s violence and harassment escape justice. “The Filipino artists and youth will hold you accountable for the illegal detention of our comrades,” she said.