MANILA, Philippines — Party-list group Bayan Muna deplored the arrest of seven human rights defenders as the world commemorates the International Human Rights Day itself on Thursday, saying that it is a testament to how the administration treats activists.
According to Bayan Muna Rep. Carlos Zarate, the Philippine National Police (PNP) would like to paint the arrests as part of its continuous crackdown on loose firearms. Still, he claimed that it is just another way of stifling legitimate dissent.
Reports from PNP’s Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) showed that seven individuals were arrested in various operations in Quezon City, Manila, and Mandaluyong …
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