11 YOUNG ANARCHISTS FALSELY ACCUSED OF A MAOIST GUERILLA ATTACK

AND TORTURED IN PHILLIPINES

On February 14th this year, a group of anarcho-punks from across the
Philippines aged 15-25 were on a trip to Sagada, a well known hiking spot,
to go walking. Police stopped the vehicle they were hitchhiking with and
brutally arrested them without a warrant. Later, they were told of an
attack by Maoist guerillas on a military outpost a few days before. When
they denied involvement, they were subjected to further torture including
suffocation, electrocution, simulated executions and drowning. The two
youngest had to be released, but the 9 others have been charged with arson
and murder.

The youths were all active in ecological campaigns and groups such as Food
not Bombs, but there is no evidence of any connection with any Maoist
organisations, or guerilla groups, or any evidence for the crime. Their
arrest was illegal. They are being held under terrible conditions without
even basic necessities or enough food in overcrowded cells.

International solidarity could make a huge difference to this case. There
has already been a demonstration at the Filipino embassy; we are now
calling for a day of protest on Friday 17th November, with phonecalls,
letters, faxes, and emails both to the prison in which they are being
held as well as to the Filipino embassy in London to pressure for their
release. You can say you are phoning/writing about the Sagada 11, mention
their names, and that you would like to enquire about their welfare/you
think the arrests were illegal/demand their immediate release, etc. Please
remember that they are being accused of being part of Maoist/terrorist
actions so be careful not to associate them with anything overtly
political.

Sample letter from Asian Human Rights Commission at:
www.ahrchk.net/ua/mainfile.php/2006/1836 and /1886

Filipino police: Gen. Arturo Lumibao: 0063 27264361

Jail:see address below, phone number: 0063 744222304

Filipino Embassy: 0207 9371600, Fax: 020 79372925, Email:
embassy@philemb.co.uk

And write a message of support to the Sagada 11: Darwin Alagar, Cell 1
(age 21), Rundren Lao, Cell 3 (age 24), Jefferson Dela Rosa, Cell 3 , age
22), Metro Villegracia, Cell 4 (age 24), Neil Russell Balajadia, Cell 5
(age 25), Ronron Pandino, Cell 8 (age 23), Arvie Nunez, Cell 8 (age 23),
Aldous Christian Mafosa , Cell 9 (age 19), Anderson Alonzo, Cell 12 (age
18), c/o Jail Warden James Simon, Benguet Provincial Jail, Justice Hill,
La Trinidad, Benguet 2601, Philippines

DROP THE CHARGES - FREE THE SAGADA 11!

ADDITIONAL INFO.
It is also reccomended that people contact the prosecutor as he is able to
get the case dropped..
Baguio Assitant Prosecutor Octavio M. Banta
Baguio City Regional Office
Rm 112 Grd Floor, Justice Hall, Baguio City
Philippines
Tel: +63(74) 446-4460

Points we suggest including: 1.) Judge Laoagan, who heard their case in
May, ruled that their arrest was illegal 2.) As well as being illegally
detained, their civil rights, as protected by Article III, Section 12 of
the Philippine Constitution, have been violated by torture, and
interrogation without legal counsel. and 3.) Confessions, or any other
evidence obtained by torture is inadmissable under Section 12(3) of the
constitution.)