In a statement yesterday, the Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) accused the IACLA as being “behind the fabrication of trumpedup charges slapped against activists and critics of the government.”
“This crackdown has gone too far. More than 200 persons were illegally arrested and detained under Duterte’s administration based on fake intelligence, fake warrants, and fake charges,” the KMP said.
It cited the arrest of labor and transport or ganizer Marklen Maoj Maga last February 22 as being “the latest handiwork of the IACLA that was activated by Martial Law architect and operator DILG secretary General Eduardo Ano and Oplan Tokhang big boss Philippine National Police chief Ronaldo Dela Rosa.”
“The arrest of Maga, who was wrongfully and maliciously implicated by the PNP and the Criminal Investigation and Detention Group (CIDG) in a murder case in Agusan del Sur, came just weeks after the arrest of NDFP peace con
sultant Rafael Baylosis,” the group said.
KMP demanded the release of Maga and all other alleged political prisoners. “Illegal arrests and illegal detention are the most common human rights violations committed by the State against civilians, next to extrajudicial killings. Illegal arrests and detention spiked after the implementation of Duterte’s Martial Law,” it said.
“The IACLA is now in full operation, merely on the basis of a joint resolution by the PNP and AFP. It’s not even legal
nor Constitutional. The IALAC is among the absurd instruments used by the government to sow terror among the population and impose Martial Law-like conditions even outside of Mindanao,” said KMP secretary general Antonio Flores.
He said “the CIDG, PNP and the Intelligence Service of the AFP are using sloppy operational procedures and counterfeit paper work to recklessly carry out illegal arrests and detention of activists, leaders and members of progressive organizations, and known government critics.”
He said Agusan del Sur has the most number of new trumped-up cases ï¬ led by the PNP and various units of the AFP.
Flores recalled that last Feb. 23, peasant leader Roger Gonzales, 50, provincial council member of the Nagkahiusang Mag-uuma sa Agusan del Sur (Namasur-KMP) was illegally arrested.
“Gonzales was planted with a caliber .357 ï¬ rearm and was arrested in an illegal search. Later, another trade
union organizer from Agusan del Sur was reportedly arrested by the local PNP and CIDG elements on the basis of the same warrant and fabricated case used against Maga,” he reported.
In Caraga region, 256 individuals, mostly Lumad activists and peasant leaders, are facing fabricated cases, Flores also said.
The IACLA is composed of officers from the PNP, the AFP, the National Bureau of Investigation, National Prosecution Service and other units.
