Various Cause-Oriented Groups Accuse Government of Fabricating Charges Against Them
Leaders and members of different cause-oriented groups in the Philippines have come forward to accuse the government of fabricating cases against them. Rosario Brenda Gonzalez, Nathaniel Santiago, Servillano Luna Jr., and Anasusa San Gabriel are facing murder, attempted murder charges, and violation of the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA).
In her defense, Gonzalez stated that the evidence presented against them consists of unauthenticated and self-serving photos. She argued that these photos, even if assumed to be real, do not provide enough support to establish probable cause for the commission of a crime.
Meanwhile, Santiago refuted claims that he was involved in an armed encounter between the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the New People’s Army (NPA) in Barangay San Fernando, Laur, Nueva Ecija. He mentioned his whereabouts in Metro Manila during the alleged clash, providing evidence of his presence at different locations.
The charges against these individuals stem from their alleged participation in an armed encounter in Nueva Ecija, where government troops claim to have identified them through photographs shown prior to the clash. The accused have raised concerns about the constitutional implications of initial photographic identification and its impact on their right to a fair trial.
The accused individuals maintain their innocence and argue that the evidence against them is insufficient and lacks credibility. They are determined to fight the fabricated charges and clear their names in court.
