After almost four years of imprisonment, Rev. Nathaniel “Pastor Dodo” Vallente, a United Church of Christ in the Philippines (UCCP) pastor, was released yesterday, October 28. He posted bail for the case of illegal possession of firearms and ammunition after charges against him were dismissed by a court in Bohol on September 6.

Pastor Vallente was arrested on June 25, 2021 in Barangay San Jose, Mabini, Bohol based on planted evidence. His relatives attested that more than 70 state forces stormed and forcibly entered the house of the pastor’s brother-in-law, claiming to have found a grenade and four .45 caliber pistols.

Karapatan-Central Visayas welcomed the decision of Bohol Regional Trial Court Branch 51 Presiding Judge Jorge Espinal who rejected recognizing the planted evidence. “His decision acknowledged the lack of credible evidence behind the fictitious charges,” the group said.

Pastor Vallente has been a UCCP minister for over 30 years. He has been the peasants’ close ally in their struggle for land rights and for decent lives. He also helped local development organizations to promote farmers’ welfare. He served as adviser to Nagkahiusang Mag-uuma sa Mabini-Hugpong Mag-uumang Bol-anon (NAMASAJO-HUMABOL).

Aside from the pastor’s case, Karapatan-Central Visayas also reported the same court’s ruling in favor of the petition for “demurrer to evidence” filed by Cleofe Lagtapon, Emmylou Cañares, and Alvin Fortaleza related to the murder case in May 2018 in Batuan, Bohol. There is no report yet of their release from detention.

“These are noteworthy triumphs against the vicious modus of the fascist state to suppress dissent by concocting baseless and flimsy cases against activists and human rights defenders,” the group added.

The group called anew for the dismissal of all trumped-up cases against political prisoners. They urged fellow Filipinos to condemn these cases and continue to support the call for freedom for the victims of political persecution.