State forces, led by the National Task Force (NTF)-Elcac, once again intimidated and threatened Paolo Tarra, student leader and Cavite human rights defender. In Defend Cavite’s report, NTF-Elcac agents repeatedly visited his family’s house on August 4.

State forces threatened to charge him with “terrorism” using the repressive Anti-Terrorism Act. They said they will issue an arrest warrant if Tarra continues to refuse to “cooperate” with them. He was also threatened with abduction if he did not leave the progressive organizations.

NTF-Elcac once again targeted Tarra following his attendance as an invited guest of Kabataan Partylist Rep. Raoul Manuel in Ferdinand Marcos Jr’s third State of the Nation Address at the House of Representatives on July 22. The agency also noted his participation in humanitarian missions launched to ensure the rights of affected communities and victims of military abuse. The agents said this proves Tarra’s deeper ties to leftist groups.

This was not the first threat to Tarra’s life and safety. NTF-Elcac also visited his relatives in February, May and July. At the same time, Tarra was granted “non re-admission” by De la Salle University (DLSU)-Dasmariñas due to his alleged violation of the university’s handbook that prohibits joining and encouraging to join “unrecognized” organizations on campus. Tarra is the coordinator of the Coalition of Concerned Lasallians (CCL) at DLSU-D.

Apart from Tarra, many activists and human rights defenders in Cavite suffered similar pressure from NTF-Elcac. It includes leaders Aries Soledad of Pamalakaya-Cavite, Nieve Numeron of Kadamay-Cavite, Rossell Lontoc of Bayan-Cavite and others. The state even harass the families of the mass leaders.

“Defend Cavite hereby reaffirms our stance that human rights work is not a terrorist act. We will continue to condemn state’s malicious attempts to discredit the work of activists and Right defenders,” the group said.

They also condemned the increasing militarization in the central towns of Cavite. They said this causes further increasing cases of human rights violations.