“There is no other way to see it but this, justice is for the rich while the poor have none.”
Betty Delgado, 66, is a long-time women rights organizer of Gabriela Parola. Since 2020, state authorities have frequently visited her home to interrogate and convince her not to join rallies, else she will get arrested.
Betty had just woken up from siesta when she heard unfamiliar voices outside her home calling her name. She immediately recognized one of them who suddenly barged in without any notice, Joel Miralpes.
“Joel was with two other men. They brought a document stating I was surrendering voluntarily. I signed it. I had no choice. I was coerced. I thought, If I don’t, they’ll just keep coming back.” said Betty.
BAYAN Manila denounced Miralpes, former spokesperson of Kadamay National Capital Region, who has now turned in connivance with the 11th and 12th Civil Military Operations Battalion to expose vendors and urban poor leaders in Manila by inviting them to sign the so-called “oath of allegiance” and return to the fold of the government. Their recent subject is Betty.
Joel looked kind enough, Betty surmised, not like the first time she experienced being interrogated and threatened by the combined forces of Philippine National Police (PNP), Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), and Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) during the former Duterte administration.
Betty recalled many vehicles cramming into her house; she was later subjected to an intense confrontation with the police, including several government officials.
“So you’re an activist.”
“Yes, I’m an activist.”
“You’re with Gabriela?”
“Yes, I am with Gabriela. What crime have I committed for you to arrest me?”
“Because you’re with Gabriela.”
“What’s wrong with Gabriela? We fight for human rights, for the safety of women and youth. You know there are victims of rape and murder whose perpetrators remain at large, but why arrest me instead?
“Because you make accusations about Duterte”
“Yes, I demand answers about the promised funds for us, the poor. Where are they? We don’t receive them. Only selected individuals benefit.”
“Did you receive any money?”
“Yes, I did.”
“How much?”
“1,500 pesos from city hall. From the senior citizens allowance payout.”
Betty was informed about a masterlist where her name was listed on top, followed by Miralpes, Enrique Lozada Sr., and Enrique Lozada Jr. among other urban poor leaders in Manila.
The Lozadas faced surveillance from the 11th and 12th CMO in their community in GK, Tondo where the initial deployment of soldiers in Manila was first reported in March 2023.
On August 19, Lozada Jr. was also recently convinced by two men to return to the fold of the government with promises of lump sum livelihood opportunities. This has also been the same narrative to Betty.
“After that incident, none of their promises even materialized. They said they’d return, but they didn’t. I haven’t even seen Joel again,” shared Betty.
Betty felt disoriented and threatened at the same time, saying it has put a toll on her for not being able to fight for what she believes is right.
“If I didn’t sign, it felt like the last thing they’d do to me was violence because I was number one on the masterlist,” she reiterated.
Betty however affirmed to continue fighting for human rights despite fearing for her safety.
“I’m easy to apprehend here. There’s no escape. If they see me at a protest, they’ll grab me for sure because I didn’t stick to our agreement,” Betty said.
Betty lives just in front of a main road near the M. Roxas Jr. Flyover in Delpan, Tondo. She has lived in her home since 1977.
“I don’t think what they did to me is right—they should have just spoken to me. They told me to stop joining rallies. I don’t even cause trouble, so much that I avoid it,” Betty said.
To Betty, Gabriela is a significant and impactful women rights organization recognized internationally.
“Gabriela matters to me because it upholds human rights. Without it, who would defend us? Our laws are blind. You can’t even express yourself freely—your lips feel sealed. I only think they fear Gabriela because Gabriela is influential worldwide,” Betty said.
