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Statement of CHR Executive Director, Atty Jacqueline Ann de Guia, on the arrest of environmental defender in Laguna

The Commission on Human Rights (CHR), through its Regional Office in Region IV-A, is already conducting a motu propio investigation into the arrest of environmental defender and activist Daisy Macapanpan on Saturday, 11 June 2022 in Pakil town, Laguna.

According to reports, she was arrested after delivering a speech protesting the construction of the Ahunan Pumped-Storage Hydropower Project on top of Mt. Inumpong of the Sierra Madre mountain range along Pakil, Laguna, which was said to negatively impact the environment, the wildlife, and the religious practices of the community in the affected area.

The arrest was reportedly carried out by a 25-member Philippine National Police-Special Action Force team using an alias to identify Macapanpan and by virtue of a warrant of arrest for an alleged rebellion case in 2008. The police also assert that Macapanpan is a high-ranking member of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army.

Environmental groups and colleagues have since questioned the basis, as well as the manner, of the arrest claiming that excessive force was also used.

CHR will be looking into these allegations of several human rights violations—noting allegations of police brutality, crackdown of dissent, as well as red tagging—said to have links to the environmental cause of Macapanpan.

To date, CHR Region IV-A was already able to speak to Macapanpan, who is currently in a Bureau of Jail Management and Penology facility in Pagbilao, Quezon. CHR will also be reaching out to other parties as part of its independent investigation. ###

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