Bikers unite in support of Dutchman, Bayan officer facing charges

Several protesters on Sunday gathered in a bike ride going to the Commission on Human Rights national office in Quezon City to show their support for a Dutchman who was ordered to leave the country over joining political activities, as well as for a Bayan officer who is facing murder case.

Earlier, Bureau of Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente said the BI ordered last November the cancellation of the permanent resident visa of Otto Rudolf De Vries.

Likewise, the BI ordered De Vries to leave the country and included his name in the bureau's blacklist, thus barring him from reentering the Philippines.

According to Morente, the BI had received “reliable information from government intelligence sources” that De Vries was engaged and was actively participating in several protest rallies in the country.

On the other hand, Bayan said its campaign officer Lutgardo “Boyette” Jurcales Jr. is facing a “trumped-up murder case” for  a killing incident in March 2018.

According to the group, the present case violates Jurcales’ right to due process as he was not accorded the right to be heard through a preliminary investigation.

He only learned about the case when the warrant of arrest was issued, the group added.

At 6:30 a.m., the bike ride started with a lap in Elliptical Road.

The bikers pedaled to Commonwealth Avenue via Philcoa then to Tandang Sora Avenue. They proceeded to Katipunan Avenue before gathering at the Commission on Human Rights. —LBG, GMA News