Filipino-American activist released from 2nd ID custody

We hereby share an article published by Philippine Revolution Web Central (PRWC).

Filipino-American activist Chantal Anicoche was released from the custody of the 2nd ID on January 29 and has returned to the US.

The 2nd ID detained Anicoche after claiming she was “found” in a hole several meters away from the site of an armed clash between the revolutionary group and the military on January 1 in Barangay Cabacao, Abra de Ilog, Occidental Mindoro. The military held her for more than three weeks inside Camp Capinpin in Tanay, Rizal, without any legal basis. The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) barred lawyers, human rights organizations, and progressive legislators from checking on her or verifying her condition.

The International Coalition for Human Rights in the Philippines (ICHRP) and Malaya USA welcomed Anicoche’s release. They said this was a major victory and the result of continuous campaigning by various organizations in the Philippines and abroad for her immediate and safe release. The groups also condemned the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-Elcac) for pretending to be concerned about Anicoche’s situation while she was being illegally detained by the AFP.

“It is absurd for the NTF-Elcac—globally notorious for harassment, intimidation, and killings of civilians and human rights defenders—to present itself as a champion of truth and a protector of youth,” ICHRP chairperson Peter Murphy said.

The Bureau of Immigration issued Anicoche an Order to Leave after she allegedly admitted to being part of an organization linked to the Communist Party of the Philippines and the New People’s Army. Under the Order to Leave, the Philippine government declared Anicoche an “undesirable alien” because of her supposed “connections” with revolutionary organizations.

According to Karapatan, the NTF-Elcac’s statements pose a danger to Anicoche, who would likely face further persecution once she arrives in the US because of the “admissions” forced from her. The agency also implied that even after her departure, it would continue to red-tag and terror-tag her, the organization she joined, and those that campaigned for her release. It plans to exploit Anicoche’s case to intensify its propaganda to discourage youth involvement in social issues under the pretext of fighting “terror grooming.”

Anicoche was most probably intimidated to coerce her into giving false statements used to justify her detention. Like the experiences of abduction victims Jonila Castro and Jhed Tamano, Dyan Gumanao and Armand Dayoha, and many others, she was likely forced to sign documents while under custody.

The AFP clearly used her detention to cover up its crimes against the people of Abra de Ilog and the continuing militarization of the community, the group said.

The groups called holding the 203rd Infantry Brigade accountable for its bombings in Abra de Ilog communities and for the 2nd ID’s illegal detention of Anicoche.