On, August 6, five activists collectively known as “Sta. Cruz 5” will face promulgation on their cases before the Taguig Regional Trial Court. Arrested on October 15, 2018 in Sta. Cruz, Laguna, the activists face trumped-up charges that the country’s courts should immediately junk and they should be set free immediately.

The Sta. Cruz 5 is composed of Adelberto Silva, a consultant of the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) on labor reforms; Hedda Calderon, social worker and member of Gabriela Women’s Party; Edisel Legaspi, a farmer of organic produce; Ireneo Atadero, an organizer of national labor center Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU); and Julio Lusania, their driver and companion.

The Sta. Cruz 5 were arrested at gunpoint along a highway at 2:00 in the afternoon. Their car was stopped by a fully-armed police blockade and they were ordered to lie on their stomachs on the asphalt road for an hour. While charges of illegal possession against Calderon, Legaspi and Atadero were immediately junked by the courts, only Calderon was released from detention.

The Sta. Cruz 5 are activists working in the urban mass movement for progressive organizations. Silva, an NDFP consultant, was speaking in rallies and forums before he was arrested. They were unarmed when they were arrested. Despite this, the police followed their modus operandi during the Rodrigo Duterte regime and planted firearms and explosives in their possession.

Four of the Sta. Cruz 5 activists continue to be in jail and the Sta. Cruz 5 continue to face charges as part of the government’s persecution of labor and other kinds of activism in the country. The activists are being hindered from carrying out their tasks in the labor and mass movement in the country. Their detention and persecution contributes to crippling movements that are crucial in fighting for human rights, social justice and democracy in the country.

For almost seven years now, four activists have been in prison while another activist has faced trial because of planted evidence and trumped-up charges. This is a case of human rights violation, state repression and injustice. The least that the courts can do now is to junk the charges against them and release the detained from prison.

The Sta. Cruz 5 is yet another set of victims of the Duterte regime’s sin of commission and the Ferdinand Marcos Jr regime’s sin of omission. The Duterte regime was vocal in justifying its attacks against activists, while the Marcos Jr regime claims adherence to human rights but does nothing to rectify its predecessor’s crimes and seek accountability for these.

We hope that the country’s courts will redress the injustice against the Sta. Cruz 5, all political prisoners, and all activists who are detained due to planted evidence and trumped-up charges. They should act fast and on the side of justice to junk the charges that perpetuate human rights violations and injustice.