10 of over 80 Cotabato farmers freed from detention

Ten of more than 80 protesting farmers jailed for alleged direct assault against police authorities during a recent violent confrontation were released from prison on Thursday evening, reports said.

The National Union of Progressive Lawyers (NUPL), the Union of Progressive Lawyers in Mindanao (UPLM), and the Public Attorney’s Office (PAO) in North Cotabato, assisted the 10 accused farmers.

The other accused farmers will be freed once bondsmen have guaranteed their identities, especially as many of them lost their identification cards during the rally dispersal, PAO Cotabato head, lawyer Orlando Dano said.

Dano also assured that their group has gathered more donations than the amount they needed for the posting of bail for the farmers.

The donations came from different sectors, including religious groups as well as showbiz personalities such as Robin Padilla, Anne Curtis, and Vice Ganda.

Dano explained that the excess donations would be used to purchase relief supplies that the farmers could bring home with them once they are released from prison.

Calls for immediate release

On Thursday, the Municipal Trial Court in Cities (MTCC) denied the motion to quash the charges filed by the defendants.

Several groups and institutions have called for the release from detention the farmers, saying the accused were merely asserting their right to seek redress.

Lory Obal, executive director of the Inter-Cultural Organizations’ Network for Solidarity and Peace, Inc., (ICON-SP), said they are calling for the immediate release of the 81 detainees as they need to provide for their families who are facing a food crisis.

He suggested that legal matters may be addressed in a fair trial later.

Obal’s group is also seeking special consideration for the seven elderly and three pregnant mothers who need psycho-social interventions.

The elderly were identified as Valentina Berdin, 73; Jovita Debalid, 68; Lolita Porras, 65; Crisanto Carlum, 72; Gerardo Pequero, 66; Dionisio Lagos, 60; and Rodolfo Tano Go, 60.

The pregnant mothers are Eliza Candiban, Arlene Candiban, and Rolinda Paunil.

The ICON-SP also asked that the injured farmers be given extra care and attention.  

Still confined at hospitals are farmers Darwin Magyao, Alfie Awe, Victor Lumundang, Jr., Arnel Takyawan, Rodolfo Go, Mark Anthony Delgado, and Mike Empet.  -- Malu Cadelina Manar/VVP, GMA News