DAVAO CITY, Philippines – Progressive lawmakers sought investigation to what they claim as an illegal arrest against an indigenous peoples school teacher.
Lawmakers from the Makabayan bloc reiterated their call for the release of Amelia Pond and to investigate her illegal arrest.
Pond, a teacher of the Salugpungan Learning Center, was arrested from a warrant of arrest which was named Adelfa Toledo by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group in Cebu.
On September 28, the said lawmakers filed the House Resolution 408, urging the House Committee on Human Rights “to investigate, in aid of legislation, the human rights violation perpetrated the elements of CIDG-Region VII in Cebu City, which include illegal arrest and filing of trumped up charges.”
“There are several questions surrounding her arrest, leading to the conclusion that her rights were violated in the process,” said Gabriela Women’s Party (GWP) Representative Arlene Brosas.
Brosas said that despite orders for all military units to pull out of Lumad communities, “the continuing denetion of Amelia Pond a known advocate for Lumad rights and education reflects a continuing persecution.”
The house resolution was co-signed by Rep. Emmi de Jesus of GWP, Rep. Carlos Zarate of Bayan Muna, Rep. Antonio Tinio and Rep France Castro of ACT Teachers Partylist, Rep. Ariel Casilao of Anakpawis Partylist, and Rep. Sarah Elago of Kabataan Partylist. (davaotoday.com)
