The Public Interest Law Center denounces the one-time, big-time simultaneous ala-tokhang raids of the houses and offices of members of labor, human rights and activist organizations over the weekend in Laguna, Rizal, Cavite and Batangas.

This, per police reports, resulted in the death of nine activist-leaders and the arrest of six.

Among those arrested is paralegal and human rights worker Nimfa Lanzanas. Nanay Nimfa, mother of political detainee Edward Lanzanas, assists families of political detainees.

The simultaneous raids by combined forces of the police and military comes on the heels of President Rodrigo Duterte’s recent speech calling on the military to “kill” and “finish off” rebels.

The coordinated operations were carried out while we are still in shock over the attempt on the life of our colleague Atty. Angelo Karlo Guillen on March 3, 2021.

The series of attacks and the relentless red-tagging of human rights defenders and activists both by President Duterte and his sycophants clearly show the real targets of his “kill” order.

President Duterte and the police and military have shown no qualms targeting and killing unarmed civilians especially those who are critical of his administration. We hold them accountable for this spate of assault on activists.

Press Release