Militant groups staged a protest in front of the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) headquarters in Camp Tomas Karingal on Tuesday to slam the “illegal arrest” of another peace consultant inside her residence on National Heroes’ Day.
Esterlita Suaybaguio, a National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) peace consultant, was arrested in a police raid inside her condominium unit on 20th Avenue in Cubao, Quezon City, around 1:50 a.m. Monday.
Police report showed the raid was conducted based on a search warrant issued by Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 89 Executive Judge Cecilyn Burgos-Villavert against Suaybaguio for illegal possession of firearms and explosive.
Authorities were able to recover during the search a 9mm pistol, ammunition, a hand grenade and several subversive documents.
Labor group Defend Job Philippines belied the “false and trumped-up charges” filed against Suaybaguio and supported her claims that the gun and grenade found by the police inside her shoulder bag were planted.
The group said they have been working with Suaybaguio, who was a labor rights and peace advocate, on issues concerning trade union and labor issues. She was a consultant of the NDFP in its stalled peace negotiations with the government.
Meanwhile, NDFP negotiating panel chairman Fidel Agcoaili also condemned the arrest of its peace consultant, reiterating that Suaybaguio is covered by the Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantees (JASIG). (Alexandria San Juan)
