Detained indigenous peoples' rights activist posts bail in Surigao City

An indigenous peoples' rights activist was arrested in Surigao City Friday but gained his temporary liberty Saturday after posting bail, a Davao-based news site reported Sunday.

Genasque Enriquez posted bail before the Surigao City regional trial court Saturday morning, according to a report on Davao Today.

Enriquez, 41, is the national vice chairman of Katribu party list.

He was arrested Friday afternoon at a food house along Rizal Street by a team with members from the police and military.

Bagong Alyansang Makabayan Secretary General Renato Reyes Jr. said Enriquez had just attended a press conference for the people's initiative against the pork barrel system slated in Cebu on Saturday.

"Genasque (was) arrested on the eve of launching of People's Initiative in Cebu," he said.

On Saturday, Enriquez and lawyer Jose Begil Jr. posted P200,000 bail on each of three frustrated murder charges before the Surigao del Sur court.

The Davao Today report said the Army’s 11th Special Action Company and 75th Infantry Battalion filed murder charges against Enriquez, in connection with a New People’s Army ambush in Bunawan, Agusan del Sur on July 21.

Davao Today said Enriquez, in an interview Friday, insisted he was “never hiding and he is not guilty” of the charges the military filed against him.

“I am active in campaigns to protect the rights of the indigenous peoples and the environment,” he said on the day he was arrested.

Human rights groups have condemned the filing of the murder cases, calling them trumped up. — Joel Locsin/JDS, GMA News