11 arrested in Laguna over anti-terror protest

Militants opposing the recently signed Anti-Terrorism Law (ATL) were arrested in Cabuyao, Laguna on Saturday by members of the Philippine National Police (PNP) in the province.

Three of those arrested were minors.

Orly Marcellana of the Katipunan ng Samahang MagbubukidTimog Katalugan identified the arrested activists as Kyle Salgado of the Alyansa ng Mamamayan para sa Pagsusulong ng Karapatang Pantao-Southern

Tagalog, Casey Cruz of Bagong Alyansang Makabayan-Southern Tagalog, Helen Catahay of Gabriela and Jemme Mia Antonio of the Liga ng Manggagawa.

Driver Miguel Portea of Piston and workers Sweden John Aberde and Renero Maarat of Kilusang Mayo Uno were also arrested.

The minors were identified as Fatima Banjawan of Gabriela, Emmanuel Numeron of Bayan Muna Youth and Marife Valdevilla of Kabataan party-list.

Marcellana said around 5 p.m. on July 4, marchers from different groups converged in front of the barangay ( village) hall of Pulo, Cabuyao to protest the signing of the Anti-Terrorism Law by President Rodrigo Duterte.

After the first speaker at the rally ended his speech, a military truck parked near the protest area and unidentified personnel began taking pictures and video of the protesters.

As the protesters were wrapping up their activity and some were gathering their placards and banners, the police and military began the arrest and pinned down some of the activists.

The 11 arrested were brought to the PNP Cabuyao Station.

Cabuyao PNP chief Reycon Garduque said media coverage of the arrest of the activists has “aggravated the situation.

As of this writing, the 11 are under police custody while the PNP Cabuyao is contemplating what charges would be filed against them.