Detained humanitarian worker’s sister harassed by state forces

MANILA – A sister of detained humanitarian worker Marielle Domequil was being harassed by the state forces. 

Domequil’s younger sister, Kyle, filed a complaint with the Commission on Human Rights Region 8 on Aug. 7. 

In a statement, Karapatan said Barangay Captain Edgar Cañeda, and a certain Lito Velarde went to her boarding house on Aug. 6 in Tacloban City and “invited” her to the barangay hall to talk to persons who claimed to be members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP). When Kyle asked them if they had a letter or document stating the reason why she is being “invited,” they could not show any. The two merely told Kyle that it was upon the “orders” of the military to “invite” her to speak to them, for her “safety.”

Kyle believes that the harassment and intimidation of the state forces against her are due to her 

her active role in calling for the freedom of her sister, community journalist Frenchie Mae Cumpio and Alexander John Abinguña or collectively called Tacloban 5. She is currently the spokesperson and lead convenor of the Free Tacloban 5 Network.

“I was honestly scared because this is the military that we are talking about, and they have the means to do whatever they want. I am also angry because they can easily use their power and their position to harm me even if I did nothing wrong,” said Kyle.  

Karapatan condemned the harassment against Kyle. “The military and elements of the state are too desperate to silence the Domequil sisters, because they cannot deny the fact that they are speaking out the truth, first in the unjust arrest and detention of Marielle, and second, the fear and terror being sowed among young activists and rights defenders in the city of Tacloban, and the rest of Eastern Visayas,” said Karapatan Secretary General Cristina Palabay in a statement. 

Palabay added that such “visits” or “invitations” are uncalled for. 

Palabay called on the CHR to immediately conduct an investigation, “and signal those who are harassing Kyle to stop their brazen acts.”

“We likewise call on the community to protect and defend Kyle, as we call for the freedom of Marielle, Frenchie Mae, and Alexander,” said Palabay. 

Domequil, Cumpio and Abinguña were arrested on February 7, 2020 during simultaneous raids conducted by police and military. They have been in jail while trial is ongoing for the past five years. Recently, Cumpio and Abinguña have been slapped with additional trumped-up charges of double murder and multiple attempted murder in connection with an alleged ambush by the New People’s Army on Oct. 18, 2019 in Barangay Sumoroy, Palapag, Northern Samar where two paramilitary personnel were killed. 

“Not one of them, students, activists, rights defenders, currently detained political prisoners, deserve these violations to their life, safety and security. The wrongs done to the Tacloban 5 are clear reasons to protest, and Kyle has all the right to defend her sister. The attacks against Kyle should stop and Domequil, Abinguña and Cumpio should be released,” Palabay concluded.(RVO)

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