The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business
Comelec’s response sidestepped the question on the legal basis for dismantling campaign materials put up inside private property. Asking the courts to resolve this will take a long time.
But the more pressing issue today that should solicit public indignation is the recent arrest by the police of Dr. Maria Natividad Castro who, police claim, is part of CPP’s central committee and head of the New People’s Army’s National Health Bureau. She was arrested for alleged kidnapping and serious illegal detention.
The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) is gravely concerned. Rights group Karapatan said Dr. Castro is a human rights advocate and volunteer health worker in Mindanao. She had been providing health care to indigenous communities in Mindanao particularly the Lumads.
Dr. Castro was a national council member of Karapatan and the Secretary-General of the group’s chapter in Caraga.
In 2016, Castro joined a delegation of human rights defenders in Geneva, Switzerland to participate in the UN Human Rights Council sessions, where she discussed the plight of Lumad communities in Caraga and the whole of Mindanao. She brought several Lumads to Geneva for first-hand account of their experience.
CHR said in a statement, “Before the pandemic hit the country in 2020, Castro initiated several health programs in Mindanao. She also brought members of the Lumad community before the United Nations in Geneva to seek help against harassment in their areas.”
With the Anti-Terror Law in full force, this will become a test case. She has been tagged a communist.
Police said the arrest warrant was issued by Fernando Fudalan, Acting Presiding Judge of the Regional Trial Court of Bayugan City, Agusan del Sur on January 30, 2020.
Caraga police alleged that Castro was involved in the kidnapping of a member of CAFGU Active Auxiliary unit, detained the victim in an unidentified location, and threatened him in December 29, 2018.
After her arrest at her residence at San Juan City, Metro Manila, she was flown to Agusan del Sur, where she awaits her trial.
Her family said police would not tell them where she was jailed and denied giving her maintenance medicines.
The Free Legal Assistance Group (FLAG) is ready to provide assistance. CHR is investigating if proper protocol was observed by the police in arresting her.
The chilling effect is anyone can be tagged a communist and deprived of legal rights because of the Anti-Terror Law.
Just like Sen. Leila de Lima, Dr. Castro can remain jailed for a long time for doing community work. Moral: in doing good, don’t make the authorities look bad.
What is the stand of the presidential candidates on Dr. Castro?