Activist Dennise Velasco arrested on Human Rights Day

Police forces arrested activist workers’ organizer Dennise Velasco on Thursday morning, also Human Rights Day.

According to the group Defend Jobs Philippines, the Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation Group (PNP-CIDG) arrested Dennise Velasco at 2 am after being issued a search warrant by Quezon City Executive Judge Cecilyn Burgos-Villavert.

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“We slam the planting of fake evidence such as firearms and explosives on Velasco’s possession as evidence. Villavert is the same judge who issued search warrants to arrested and detained activists in Manila and Negros last year,” said Defend Jobs Philippines.

“The arrest of Velasco today follows the reported surveillance of our head office in Quezon City on the night of December 3.”

Velasco’s wife, Dianne Zapata, was able to Facebook Live while the police raided their house this morning. The video shows how the PNP-CIDG searched for their belongings.

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Dennise Velasco is known for his campaign against contractualization and his work in labor disputes in companies such as PLDT, Jollibee Foods Corporation, Regent Foods Corporation, Super 8, and Pepsi, etc.

Activist Dennise Velasco arrested on Human Rights Day

“Recently, Velasco played a crucial role as one of the lead initiators in our disaster relief efforts for the victims of Typhoon Ulysses in various areas in Metro Manila,” the group said.

“These kinds of attack and harassment against trade unionists and labor rights advocates must end. We cry foul over Velasco’s arrest being done in time of human rights day.”

Velasco’s wife was furious about what happened to her husband today, who was just “stolen” by the police after saying that he would only take a coronavirus disease (COVID-19) swab test after his arrest. She said she suddenly left without her husband.

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“Imbis na tugunan ang issues sa kabuhayan at karapatang pantao, ang sagot ni Duterte ay panunupil sa pamamagitan ng mga gawa gawang kaso at tanim ebidensya,” said Zapata to PSN.

“Nananiniwala kami na maninigil ang kasaysayan sa pagpapahirap at kasinungalingan ng gobyernong ito. Tuloy ang laban natin para sa mga batayang karapatan. Wag tayong tumigil! Patuloy na manindigan!”