On the eve of the 52nd anniversary of Martial Law, Cordillera activists testify to prove their innocence after the government tagged them as terrorists
BAGUIO, Philippines – In 1981, Stephen Tauli left his job at the Ministry of Environment to join the Cordillera people’s struggle against the Marcos dictatorship’s Chico Dams project.
He spent his prime years advocating for indigenous rights, which led to criminal charges and his detention during the Corazon Aquino administration. The court later dismissed the cases.
“The reasons why I became an activist remain: the oppression and rights violation against the people, and plunder of our resources continue and getting worse,” Tauli, now 65, said in Ilocano when asked why he continues his activism.
Once again, he finds himself defending his cause under another Marcos presidency.
In November 2023, Tauli and fellow Cordillera Peoples Alliance (CPA) leaders Jennifer Awingan-Taggaoa, Sarah Abellon-Alikes, and Windel Bolinget petitioned a regional trial court for a writ of certiorari and a preliminary injunction. This is to argue that the Anti-Terrorism Council’s (ATC) terrorist designation against them violated the right to due process, exposed them to threats, and infringed on their freedom of expression and association.
On the eve of the 52nd anniversary of Martial Law, as their trial challenging the designation entered its fifth hearing, Tauli and Awingan-Taggaoa testified.
Lawyers from the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) questioned their claims, arguing the petitioners failed to show a direct connection between the harassment they experienced and government actions.
‘Deep trauma’
Tauli told the court that his abduction caused “deep trauma,” requiring him to undergo psychological treatment and counseling.
He was reported abducted in August 2022 in front of the CPA’s office in Kalinga. His captors released him after more than 24 hours.
He had to explain this after the OSG highlighted discrepancies between his judicial affidavit submitted to the court and the one attached to a writ of amparo he filed with the Court of Appeals.
Tauli said he had difficulty recalling the event’s details at the time of the earlier affidavit. Only after “objectifying the event” was he able to properly recall the facts and correct certain details.
The OSG noted that the abduction occurred before the terrorist designation. During the examination, the state lawyer noted that Tauli had not named the ATC or the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) as agencies that he might have earned the ire because of his advocacy.
Chilling effect
The OSG also questioned Awingan-Taggaoa about state agents trying to arrange a meeting with her through her brother, a police officer. The OSG claimed the agents “merely wanted to talk,” but Awingan-Taggaoa clarified that they sought “a meeting for me to surrender and ask questions.”
She was also asked about her claim of harassment by a certain “Major Melgar.” When asked if she had verified his identity, she admitted she had not but mentioned that the Commission on Human Rights confirmed it while investigating her complaint.
Asked whether she was free to travel, Awingan-Taggaoa said, “I am very afraid (of the designation) that is why I do not travel much… because even before the designation, some colleagues in the CPA were extrajudicially killed.”
Bolinget echoed similar fears during his September 16 testimony, which coincided with his birthday. He admitted that no official travel restrictions had been placed on him; however, security risks kept him from attending CPA activities.
He described the terrorist designation as “the worst thing to happen in my life.” The CPA chair became emotional, saying the ATC’s label turned him into “an enemy of the state,” endangering not only him but also his family and colleagues because of their association with him.
‘Not connected’
To support their argument, the OSG asked Bolinget about harassment incidents he mentioned in his supplemental affidavit.
They questioned whether he verified the identities of those involved. Bolinget noted that he identified one individual as part of the Baguio City police’s intelligence unit.
The OSG also pressed Abellon-Alikes on why she did not verify the identities of suspected state agents despite their persistent calls and visits. They further questioned why she had not filed formal complaints against the individuals.
The OSG argued that aside from freezing their bank accounts and CPA funds, no government directive stopped the petitioners or their group from continuing their activities or expressing their views. They cited CPA Facebook posts showing continued activities and statements criticizing the ATC’s designation and the government.
Bolinget acknowledged that while the CPA continued some activities, the freezing of their accounts severely impacted their programs.
The AMLC ordered the freezing of the petitioners’ bank accounts, which also affected CPA funds and some of their family members’ savings. The group filed a separate petition to lift the freeze order, but the Court of Appeals dismissed it in December 2023. They have since petitioned the Supreme Court for a review, which is still pending. – Rappler.com
