Sign-on Statement to Call for the Immediate Release and Drop the Trumped up Charges Against Five Development Workers in Negros Occidental, Philippines
We, the undersigned, urgently call for public support for the immediate release of two development workers and the cancellation of trumped-up charges against them and three more development workers. Four of the falsely accused are affiliated with the Paghidaet sa Kauswagan Development Group (PDG Inc.) in Negros Occidental, Philippines.
On January 2, 2025, two dedicated PDG staff members—Federico Salvilla, and Perla Pavillar—were unjustly arrested on baseless charges of terrorism financing.
On December 3, 2024, the Department of Justice (DOJ) filed six counts of terrorism financing charges against four staff members of the Paghidaet sa Kauswagan Development Group (PDG), including Salvilla, Pavillar; and, Dharyl Albañez.
Dharyl Albañez has been wrongly accused and identified by state authorities as a staff of PDG - which underlines the falsity of the charges against him. Albañez was the Executive Director of Kristiyanong Katilingban Lubos Itib Ong Sang Grupo, Inc. (KMALIG), part of the September 21 Movement - an alliance of advocates promoting human rights protection. Albañez voluntarily turned himself into the police, on the same day Salvilla and Pavillar were arrested, upon learning that a warrant of arrest would be served against him. He has posted bail amounting to Php400,000.00 for two counts of alleged violations of Section 8, RA 10168.
PDG Inc. is among the organizations in Negros at the forefront in resisting the harmful expansion of palm oil plantations in Candoni, Negros Occidental. This 2-billion peso palm oil plantation, owned by the Consunji family, spans more than 6 thousand hectares. This project threatens to displace residents from Barangays Gatuslao, Agboy, and Payauan and jeopardizes the land and livelihood of Indigenous Peoples who have lived there for generations.
As part of the broader campaign against land conversion and environmental destruction, PDG Inc. has been instrumental in exposing the illegalities surrounding the palm oil project, including non-compliance with necessary environmental permits. The project is bulldozing not just forest land, but the very lives of residents. Despite promises of job creation, these assurances ring hollow as thousands of people are forcibly evicted, their homes and communities razed to make way for corporate greed.
The arrests of Salvilla, and Paviliar are part of a deliberate and escalating crackdown against progressive development workers, activists, and communities fighting for social justice. The Marcos administration, through the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Philippine National Police (PNP), and National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC), continues to weaponize the legal system to silence those who dare to challenge the status quo.
PDG Inc., with its decades-long history of fighting for agrarian reform and sustainable agriculture, including organizing sugar cane workers, has been a consistent target of red-tagging and repression. This includes the brutal extra-judicial killing of its executive director, Atty—Benjamin Ramos Jr., in 2018.
In signing this statement, we call on all freedom-loving Filipinos and the international community to demand the immediate release of Federico Salvilla, and Perla Pavillar, and the dropping of the charges against them and the three other accused development workers included in the spurious case against PDG; and, build clamor against the relentless attacks on development workers and activists in Negros Island and the Philippines. Let us unite against these systematic attacks on those who serve the people.
Stop the persecution of development workers! Release all political prisoners!
Signed by:
Unyon ng mga Manggagawa sa Agrikultura (UMA)
National Federation of Sugar Workers (NFSW)
IBON Foundation, Inc.
Cordillera People’s Alliance
Peace for Life
National Union of People’s Lawyers
Council for People's Development and Governance
National Council of Churches in the Philippines
Amihan National Federation of Peasant Women
Artista ng Rebolusyong Pangkultura (ARPAK)
Food Sovereignty Alliance, India
Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP)
National Network of Agrarian Reform Advocates Youth (NNARA Youth)
Sama-samang Artista para sa Kilusang Agraryo (SAKA)
Confederation for Unity Recognition and Advancement of Government Employees (COURAGE)
Paghida-et sa Kauswagan Development Group Incorporated (PDG)
Aguisan Fisherfolks Association (AFA)
Barangay Inayawan Small Farmers Association (BISFA)
Hacienda Paco Farmers and Farm Workers Association (HAPFAFAWA)
Asosasyon sg Magagmay nga Mangunguma kag Mamumugon sa Barangay Orong (AMMBO)
Aguisan Purok Sea Side Association (APSA)
Paghili-usa sg Farm Workers kg Small Fishers nga may Inisyatiba sa Barangay San Juan (PAWIS)
Kauswagan sang Bino Para sa Buhi kg Hilway nga Palangabuhian (KABUHI-AN)
Association sang Magagmay nga Mangunguma sang Caningay (AMMSCA)
Association sang Magagmay nga Mangingisda sa Zone 2 (AIMAZONE 2)
Hacienda AC Yulo Farmer and Farm Workers Association (HAYFFWA)
Association sg mga Mangunguma sa No Camingawan (AMMCAO)
Asosasyon sang Mangunguma kg Mamumugon sa Cantaghap (AMMACAN)
Katilingban sang Mangunguma kg Mamumugon sa Malasbalas Labamba kg Mindangon (KAMMALIG)
Paghili-usa sang Magagmay nga mga Mangunguma sa Barangay Salong kg Camansi (PAMANGAS-CA)
Asosasyon sang Mangunguma kg Mamumugon sa Lupni nga Naga-Updanay (AMMLU)
San Antoniok Corn Farmers Association (SCOFA)
Pangabuhian Amligan Teknolohiya Agricultura Gamiton (PATAG)
Cajel Malipayon Nasuli Integrated Farmers and Workers Association (CAMANAIFAWA)
Sitio Tuburan Farmers and Farm Workers Community Association (STFFWCA)
Tataptap Cambugsa Farmers and Farm Workers Association (TACAFFWA)
Talaptap Small Farmers Association (TASFA)
Asosasyon sg Mangunguma kg Mangingisda sa Batang (AMMB)
Buhi nga Aksyon para sa Kauswagan kg Pag-amlig sa Seguridad sg Mangunguma kg Mamumugon (BAKAS)
Mangingisda sa Labugon Asosasyon (MALA)
Dancalan Ilog Small Farmers Association (DISFA)
Paghili-usa sang mga Mangingisda Asosasyon sa Bocana (PAMABO)
Katilingban sg mga Mangunguma sa Proper Linag-asan (KAMPILAN)
Caliling Small Agricultural Workers Association (CASAWA)
Tuyom Small Farmers Association (TUSFA)
Trankahan Small Farmers Association (TRANSFA)
Hili-usa sang Magagmay nga Mamumugon sa Geta (HIMAG)
Transnational Palm Oil Labour Solidarity (TPOLS)
JPIC Kalimantan
Gabungan Serikat Buruh Indonesia (GSBI)
Koalisi Buruh Sawit (KBS - Indonesia)
Aliansi Gerakan Reforma Agraria (AGRA) Indonesia
Rasamala Hijau Indonesia (RHI)
SYNAPARCAM (Cameroun)
Lingkaran Advokasi dan Riset (Link-AR Borneo) Indonesia
Forum Petani Plasma Buol / FPPB (Sulawesi - Indonesia)
Jaringan JAGA DECA (Indonesia)
Lingkar Belajar Perempuan Desa (Sulawesi - Indonesia)
Asia Pacific Coalition for Human Rights in the Philippines (APCHRP)
Quinoa ASBL (Belgium)
Foundation for Filipino Children (the Netherlands)
International Coalition for Human Rights in the Philippines - Europe
Charlotte Limborg (Belgium)
Archbishop emeritus Joris Vercammen (Utrecht - the Netherlands)
Micheline Bruyninckx (Belgium)
Ermelinde Malcotte (Arlac, Belgium)
Gabriela Germany (Germany)
Migrante Germany (Germany)
International Coalition for Human Rights in The Philippines (ICHRP) - Germany
ALPAS Pilipinas (Germany)
Lara Mendoza (Philippine)
Anakbayan UK
Migrante UK
ILPS UK
London-Philippines Solidarity (LPS)
Philippine Network of Food Security Programmes, Inc.
Society for Peace and Sustainable Development (SPSD)-Pakistan
Asia Pacific Network of Environmental Defenders
Environmental Defenders Congress
Center for Environmental Concerns - Philippines
Kalikasan People’s Network for the Environment
POSSIBLE FUTURES Decolonial Collective (Global)
Poros Muda untuk Aksi
Bersama (POMANARA) - Indonesia
PUSAKA Bentala Rakyat - Indonesia
Sukaar Welfare Organization Pakistan
Inisiasi Masyarakat Adat (IMA)
Renuka Kad - India
Sabah Plantation Industry Employees Union (SPIEU)
Egyptian Front for Human Rights (EFHR)
Campaign for Human Rights in the Philippines-UK
The Labor Union Coalition in Palestine - Agricultural Union
Coni Ledesma
Louie Jalandoni
Palangkaraya Ecological and Human Rights Studies (PROGRESS)
Serikat Buruh Kerakyatan (SERBUK) Komite Wilayah Kalimantan Barat
Netherlands Philippines Solidarity Movement
Pinay sa Holland - Gabriella
Tatiana Lukman - The Netherlands
Bigkis at Lakas ng mga Katutubo sa Timog Katagalugan (BALATIK)
Annie en Wim van Wijk - The Netherlands
Migrante Netherlands
Jacques P In der Maur - The Netherlands
International Migrants Alliance (IMA) Canada Chapter
Pieter Bijl - The Netherlands
Dirk van Campenhout - The Netherlands
Philippine Network of Food Security Programmes, Inc. (PNFSP, Inc.)
International Community Services vzw, Belgium
Klima Center of Manila Observatory
Magsasaka at Siyentipiko para sa Pag-unlad ng Agrikultura (MASIPAG)
PANALIPDAN Mindanao
Philippines Australia Solidarity Association
Philippine Caucus for Peace - Australia
Katinnulong Daguiti Umili iti Amianan-Peoples Partner in Northern Luzon (KADUAMI)
Cordillera Women’s Education, Action Research Center (CWEARC)
INNABUYOG
Ciprian - Dorel Pop, Secretary General of the Romanian Worker’s Association
Rumpun Perempuan dan Anak - Indonesia (RUPARI)
Alaika Rahmatullah, Campaign Manager, ECOTON FOUNDATION - Indonesia
Normel Bermundo, National External Coordinator, Youth Advocates for Climate Action Philippines
Rendilyn Cuyop, Networking and Documentation Officer - Centers of Distinction on Indigenous and Local Knowledge
Serikat Perempuan (SERUNI) Indonesia
Irene Garlanda - Belgium
Nils Lian - Belgium
Executive Board of Pakistan Labour Federation (PLF)
Ligaya McGovern, Ph.D., Indiana University, USA
Pangataman Bicol
Vertudez “Daisy” Macapanpan - Convenor Protect Sierra Madre for the People
Victor De Roeck - Belgium
Viva Salud - Belgium
Anne Verzijl - Netherlands
Jeroen van de Loo - Netherlands
Rev. June Mark Yañez - Migrante Belgium
BUKAL Batangas
Mabi David - Philippines
Food Today Food Tomorrow
Adam David - Philippines
Conchitina Cruz - Philippines
Charlene Tan - Philippines
Lanka Organic Agricultural Movement (LOAM Sri Lanka)
FIAN Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka Nature Group
Pesticide Action Network Asia Pacific (PANAP)
Social Work Institute Nepal
Sandra Frost - USA
Sustainable Innovations Africa
Africa Nature’s Organic Food
L Principe - Anakbayan, Amnesty International PH
Single Mothers Association of Kenya
Daniel Manyasi - Kenya
Elizabeth Henderson - USA
Youths and Environmental Advocacy Centre (YEAC-Nigeria)
YEAC Community Energy and Development (YEAC-CEAD)
Andrea Teran - Philippines
GABRIELA HK
Lenchel Fernandez - Philippines
Centre for Research and Advocacy, Manipur
Anae Andolan - Philippines
Melina Bausier - Belgium
Alice Thirion - Belgium
Nicolò Gugliuzza - Belgium
Camille Rousselet - Belgium
Fatima Biberian - Belgium
Southern Peasants’ Federation of Thailand (SPFT)
People’s Democracy Movement of Thailand (PDMT)
Eric Petitjean - Belgium
Matthew Toner - Ireland
Agroecology Commons, USA
Indigenous Women Legal Awareness Group (INWOLAG), Nepal
Laura Baeyens - Belgium
Tanggol Magsasaka (Defend Farmers)
Amee Chew - USA
Rakapi (Reporma Agrarya Pilipino)
Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) - May 1st Movement
New York Committee for Human Rights in the Philippines (NYCHRP)
Defend Negros #StopTheAttacks
Institute for National and Democracy Studies (INDIES) - Indonesia
BAYAN Hong Kong and Macau
United Filipinos in Hong Kong (Unifil Migrante HK)
GABRIELA HK
Filipino Migrant Workers’ Union
Likha Filipino Migrants' Cultural Organization
Association of Concerned Filipinos (ACFIL HK)
Filipino Migrants Association (FMA HK)
Migrante PangasinanGabriela Chater Road Chapter (GAB HK)
Migranteng Artista ng Bayan
Filipino Migrant Workers Union Chater Road Chapter
Filguys Gabriela HKPromotion of Church People’s Response Hong Kong Chapter
Hong Kong Campaign for Human Rights and Peace in the Philippines (HKCAHRPP)
Pinatud A Saleng Ti Umili
Abra Migrant Workers Welfare Association
Migrante Tsuen Wan
Migrante Tsing Yi
FMWU Tsing Yi
Migrante Shatin
Migrante Visayas
Filipino Migrants Women for Welfare - Tai Po
Migrante Tuen Mun
Migrante Yuen Long
Filipino Migrants Workers’ Union General Post Office Chapter
Filipino Lesbian Organization HK
United Filipino Dreamers Cultural Organization
Cuyapo OFW Association
Migrante Pier Chapter
Filipino Migrants Workers’ Union General Post Office Chapter
Filipino Friends HK
Gabriela HK Bank
Samahang Migrante
Filwom
Filipino Migrants Worker Union CG
Migrante Tamar
Cordillera Alliance - HK
AGHAM Advocates of Science & Technology for the People
Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA), Regional, Asia
National Indigenous Women Forum, Nepal
Saraswati Sherpa, Nepal
Ryan John Reynoso - Canada
Sabokahan Tomo Kamalitanan (Unity of Lumad Women) - Philippines
Central Visayas Farmers Development Center, Inc.
Helene Debaisieux - Belgium
Jeanne Babar - Belgium
Hélène Baquet - Belgium
Damien Charles - Belgium
Tatiana Lukman - The Netherlands
Brigades d’Actions Paysannes - Belgium
Growing Together - Cameroun
Farmworker Association of Florida (FWAF) - USA
Keri: Caring for Activists - Philippines
NETWORK OF INDIGENOUS WOMEN - Bai
California-Nevada Philippine Solidarity Task Force, United Methodist Church
CHENNAIAH - National Alliance of Agriculture allied Workers Union-NAAWU, India
Rufus Kamran- Society for Peace and Sustainable Development
Barbara Dinham
Human Development Organization
Shahindha Ismail - Maldivian Democracy Network
Fatrisia- Jaringan JAGA DECA
Seniwati - Forum Petani Plasma Buol
Ryan John Reynoso
Kalam bin Pie - Jungle School Gombak, Malaysia
John vianney Nowembabazi - ESAFF Uganda
Jmm van de Loo, Peace Activist
Alab Ayroso- Youth Advocates for Climate Action Philippines
Janielle Torregosa - Malaya Long Beach & Carson
Jeanne Manning Stright
Marie De Vroey - Belgium
Bevivino - H&R
Marie Genette
Isaline Wertz
Chantal Peten
Aiyanas Ormond - Canada
Benoit De Waegeneer
Peter Murphy - Philippines Australia Union Link
Peter Murphy - International Coalition for Human Rights in the Philippines, Global Council
Samuel Hubaux - Nos Oignons
Chantal Peten
MEYNARDO ARGANA - Migrante Australia
Saskia Colombant
Balcells Clémentine
Maria Caballero Pons
Fanny
Coline
Lescarmontier
françois-noé - BAP
Loralie Lungu -Belgique
KEIL- BAP Belgium
Matilde Quinoa Iglesias
Arielle Bindi - Italie
Juliette Faucher - Belgium
Lucie Bisserier
ABEP collective - Belgium
Lefèvre Marie-Hélène - FIAN Belgium
Giulia Piomponi - Brigades d'actions paysannes
Claire Bouju - Brigades d'Action Paysannes
cimenci - Mouvement d'Action Paysanne (Belgique)
van Eeden - fian bap
Ivo Van Puyvelde - Belgium
Pauline Bourtembourg - Belgium
Edwin Subijano - Migrante Australia
Comentários