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Karapatan member arrested in Misamis Occidental


A member of activist rights group Karapatan was arrested in her residence in Oroquieta City, Misamis Occidental by joint forces of the police and military on Wednesday.

The military believes Jennefer Aguhob, 40, to be finance, liaison officer of Sub-Regional Military Area II (Monterosa) of the New People's Army (NPA).

According to Western Mindanao Command spokesman Major Arvin Encinas on Thursday, a Dipolog City court issued a warrant of arrest against Aguhob for the charge of murder.

WestMinCom chief Lieutenant General Cirilito Sobejana lauded the forces who arrested Aguhob.

"I attribute this achievement to the strong collaboration among officers and men of the Joint Task Force ZamPeLan and the Philippine National Police. My snappy salute to all of them. With your selfless service, our people will certainly live peacefully and happily,” Sobejana said.

Meanwhile, human rights group Karapatan condemned the arrest of Aguhob, who, according to the group, was its national council member from Region XIII.

Karapatan secretary general Cristina Palabay said Aguhob was not even aware of the murder case filed against her.

“Prior to her arrest, Aguhob had no knowledge that there was such a complaint filed against her and others. She was deprived of her right to due process when she was arrested based on the said complaint,” Palabay said.

Palabay claimed that Aguhob had also experienced several threats and harassment over the past two years, saying that Aguhob, who is an engineer and a recent law graduate, was removed from the city’s engineer office after some military personnel supposedly talked to her superiors.

Karapatan is demanding Aguhob's immediate release, adding that filing trumped-up charges against activists is the government’s way to “stifle dissent.”

Aguhob is placed under the custody of Misamis Occidental Provincial Police Office for proper disposition. — BM, GMA News

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