THREE CRIMINAL CHARGES AGAINST 42 ACTIVISTS DISMISSED, SIMPLE DISOBEDIENCE FILED IN COURT

[UPDATED]

ILOILO CITY – The Office of the City Prosecutor dismissed three cases filed by the police against the Iloilo 42 or the 42 activists calling for justice in the murder of Bayan Muna leader Jory Porquia. The group was supposed to hold a caravan on May 1 to light a candle in the place where Porquia was killed on April 30.

In the order issued by Prosecutor Caryl Kate Fabella-Genova, the three cases filed by the police were found to be baseless. The three cases dismissed were for violation of BP 880 or the Public Assembly Act, violation of RA 11332 or the Mandatory Reporting of Notifiable Diseases and Health Events of Public Health Concern Act, and violation of RA 11469 or the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act.

However, the criminal case for simple disobedience was elevated to court. This has been a staple case filed in court against activists on the ground that they allegedly do not follow the orders of persons in authority or their agents, like the police.

It can be noted that similar cases were filed against activists back in June and September 2015, and both were dismissed by the court after proceedings that lasted for two years.

Iloilo 42 welcomed the Prosecutor’s decision and believe that the case of simple disobedience can also be dismissed./PT