Bayan leader arrested in Iloilo; group says charges 'fabricated, baseless'

Police on Tuesday arrested an Iloilo-based activist leader with alleged links to communist rebels on murder and attempted murder charges.

Elmer Forro Sr., secretary general of Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) in Panay, was arrested based on warrants of arrest issued by Judge Gemalyn Faunillo-Tarol of Janiuay, Iloilo Regional Trial Court Branch 76, police said.

"The Philippine National Police will continue to press police operations to account for members of the communist New People's Army and its affiliates who are the subject of Warrants of Arrest issued by judicial authorities for crimes against the people," said PNP chief Police General Dionardo Carlos in a  statement Wednesday following Forro's arrest.

Carlos said no bail has been recommended for Forro.

'Baseless' charges

Meanwhile, in a separate statement, Bayan's chapter in Panay decried the arrest, saying it was based on "fabricated and baseless" allegations.

"Forro is a well-known activist in Iloilo City who frequently met with public officials, civic leaders, and the media, speaks during rallies and public forums, and led aid missions in urban poor communities since the start of the pandemic,” Bayan Panay deputy spokesperson Bryan Bosque said.

"Forro is the latest victim in a string of trumped-up charges brought by the government against activists based solely on the military's claims that they were spotted during firefights in remote mountain areas and later 'identified'  in so-called rogue’s galleries," he added.

The group urged the PNP to drop the charges against Forro and release him. —Mel Matthew Doctor/KBK, GMA News