Four former Confederation for Unity Recognition and Advancement of Government Employees (COURAGE) staff and officials have already been arrested for charges of murder and arson. These cases were filed in faraway provinces from where the four reside, according to COURAGE.
The latest was Antonieta Setias Dizon, 60, a former National Executive Committee Member. Dizon was arrested on September 17 at around 11:50pm in her San Pedro City residence by combined elements of the Provincial Intelligence Branch of the Laguna Police Provincial Office, San Pedro City Police Station, 1st Laguna Provincial Mobile Force Company, Regional Intelligence Division of the Calabarzon Police Regional Office, AFP Joint Task Force NCR, and 202nd Brigade and 2nd Mechanized Brigade of the 2nd Infantry Division and Civil-Military Operations Regiment.
“The arrest of Antonietta Setias Dizon is the latest in the series of the government’s attacks. The military is quick to brand this recent arrest as the downfall of an alleged ‘NPA leader,’ when in truth, the victim is a union organizer,” Karapatan Deputy Secretary General Roneo Clamor said.
She was arrested based on ‘trumped-up charges’ of murder in Bayugan, Agusan Del Sur and illegal possession of firearms and explosives. She is currently detained at the San Pedro City Police Station.
“Dizon was sleeping with her grandchildren when armed men forcefully entered into her home at around 11pm on September 17, 2019 . She was with her 10-year-old and 1-year-old grandkids – both of which had high-powered guns pointed at them,” relayed KARAPATAN in a report.
The Karapatan official underscored that Dizon is not an NPA leader.
“This is not a mere arrest, but a targeted attack against unionism. Karapatan calls for the immediate release of Antonietta Dizon and 545 other political prisoners in the country who have been wrongfully accused and detained for raising legitimate demands and exposing human rights violations,” Clamor ended.
Three other COURAGE staff arrested were Juan Alexander Reyes, Oliver and Rowena Rosales.
“Exposed and vulnerable, Duterte and his clique have been relentless in persecuting the staunchest of the critics. Straight from the playbook of the dictator Ferdinand E. Marcos and the corrupt Gloria Arroyo, Duterte has ordered the ‘whole-of-nation’ approach in ending the supposedly broadening ‘local communist armed conflict’. The communist bogey has been rehashed to be used against progressive groups and rationalize sowing of terror among the citizenry,” said COURAGE in a statement.
Dizon was also almost arrested in 2015, but fended off the attempt when she sought shelter at the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) office in Pasig City. COURAGE and supporters from various progressive sectoral groups barricades in front of the IBP office.
