Former KATRIBU chairperson arrested over dismissed trumped-up murder charge

Former Kabataan para sa Tribung Pilipino (KATRIBU) Chairperson and Makabayan Cagayan Valley Regional Coordinator Agnes Mesina was illegally arrested by police forces last February 28, KATRIBU Youth said.

KATRIBU UPLB added that 30 non-uniformed personnel and two uniformed police entered a private building where Mesina was staying along with other volunteers. They were in a “community mercy outreach” in Gonzaga, Cagayan.

KATRIBU Youth is an organization advocating for Moro and indigenous peoples’ rights in the Philippines.

According to the organization, one policeman reportedly said, “Walang Miranda rights!” when this was asserted by volunteers during Mesina’s arrest.

KATRIBU Youth added that the trumped-up murder charge presented in Mesina’s arrest warrant had already been dismissed in July 2021 by a court order.

“Ito ay malinaw na paglabag sa karapatang pantao ng mga volunteers. Mariing kinukundena ng Katribu Youth ang iligal na pagharang sa Community Outreach, terrorist-tagging, at huwad na pag-aresto kay Agnes Mesina!” KATRIBU Youth wrote.

[“This is a clear violation of the human rights of volunteers. KATRIBU Youth vehemently condemns the illegal interception of community outreach, terrorist-tagging, and the illegal arrest of Agnes Mesina!”]

Mesina was finally released from detention hours after her arrest, KATRIBU Youth said. [P]

Photo from Karapatan