Activists arrested at Bayan office in Tondo

Authorities arrested three activists at the office of progressive organization Bayan in Tondo, Manila early Tuesday morning.

Carrying search warrants issued by the Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 89 Judge Cecilyn Burgos-Villavert, joint operatives of the Philippine National Police nabbed activists Ram Carlo Bautista, Alma Moran and Reina Mae Nasino.

The individuals were arrested supposedly for violating Republic Act (RA) 10591 or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act and RA 9516 on the unlawful possession of firearms.

Among the pieces of evidence seized from the suspects were several firearms and ammunition of varying calibers, cellphones and laptops.

Bayan Muna party-list Representative Carlos Zarate and chairman Neri Colmenares strongly condemned the raid and arrest of Bayan members, saying that the "creeping martial rule" of the Duterte administration has now reached Metro Manila.

"The raid is reminiscent of the same modus operandi done by the police in the Bacolod raids and mass arrests as well as filing of trumped up charges of illegal possession of firearms and explosives," Zarate asid.

"The coordinated attacks against progressives all over the country are designed to divert the attention of our people from the real problems of our country and to cover-up the dismal failures of the Duterte administration in its bloody campaign against drugs, corruption and solving massive poverty, among others," he added.

For his part, Colmenares pointed out that it was not since the time of Martial Law during the Marcos regime that even offices of progressive groups in Metro Manila are raided and activists are arrested en masse.

"This type of blitzkrieg bombardment of attacks bodes ill for civil liberties and rights fought hard for by the Filipino people against dictatorship," he said.

"Even with these attacks though, we will not be cowed and continue to work and serve the interest of the majority of the Filipino people. We enjoin every freedom loving Filipino to rise with us and stand up against the looming tyranny of the Duterte regime," he added.

The arrested individuals will be brought to the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group office in Manila for booking, documentation and the filing of appropriate charges. —KG, GMA News