AT LEAST 11 human rights defenders and church workers arrested in General Santos City were released from detention after posting bail, Friday, July 6.
Freed were Teresita Naul, Virgilio Sanama, Vennel Chenfoo, Annaliza Avenido, Byron Porras, Roger Plana, Kristine Cabardo, Jomorito Guaynon, Ireneo Udarbe, Rosemarie Cantano, and Aldeem Yanez.
The municipal trial court in General Santos City ordered the police to release 11 of the "GenSan13" after each posted a P36,000 bail.
Reports said they were released around 11 p.m., Friday.
"Our highest commendation to all the People's lawyers, paralegal volunteers, kin of victims, and to the entire Filipino people who have worked hard and extended all available means for the immediate release of the development workers and rights activists," the human rights group Karapatan said in its Facebook page.
However, the two others, Emilio Gabales and Delia Catubay, remained behind bars while contesting the charges filed against them.
The human rights group is registering its demand to immediately release the two others.
On the other hand, the Movement Against Tyranny (MAT) was saddened by the lack of justice in the proceedings.
"We are exalted that the leaders of progressive organizations in Cagayan de Oro have been set free but two remains in detention. No justice has been served, but the progressive organizations with aims and objectives to serve the Filipino will continue and intensify their struggle,"the group said in a statement.
The group said the continuing state of martial law becomes harsher as rights activists and even church workers who were discussing developments for lumads and peasants were arrested for obstructing justice as the police claimed.
But, MAT said the real institutions that obstruct justice are those who continue to maliciously defame workers for the poor.
