The Human Rights Advocates of Negros (HRAN) on Wednesday, July 3, condemned alleged attacks against development workers in Negros Island as they marked the fourth year since the Anti-Terrorism Law was enacted.
HRAN claimed the Army has been harassing and intimidating community leaders who stand with the Paghidaet sa Kauswagan Development Group, which was accused of financing terrorism.
“The rising attacks against development workers, whose lives are dedicated to promoting social justice, human rights and genuine and inclusive development is appalling”, the statement said.
HRAN also called for the dropping of “trumped-up” charges against Dharyll Albanez, Felipe Levy Gelle, Jr., Perla Pavillar, and Federico Salvilla, and the harassment of community leaders.
It also called on the Commission on Human Rights to conduct moto propio investigations into cases of rights violations.*