01/07/2026
KARAPATAN Central Luzon strongly condemns the continuing threats, harassment, and surveillance directed against Jose Marti, an undergraduate student of Central Luzon State University (CLSU), a paralegal, and a human rights worker of KARAPATAN Central Luzon.
The latest incidents reflect a disturbing pattern of intimidation targeting students, human rights defenders, and activists in Central Luzon.
On June 19, 2026, two men identifying themselves as Manuel Buscayno and Gabriel Reganit of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) approached a relative of Jose Marti, who is employed at CLSU. They repeatedly sought information regarding his whereabouts, insisted on speaking with him, and even presented photographs of him. Such acts go beyond legitimate inquiry and raise serious concerns over surveillance and intimidation.
The harassment escalated on June 26, 2026. After visiting political prisoners Jennifer David, Ernesto Prinsipe, Maria Regina Obiso, and Marlene Espiritu at Aurora Provincial Jail in Baler, Aurora, Jose Marti was again subjected to surveillance. Two men believed to be intelligence operatives from the 91st Infantry Battalion reportedly went to the transient house where he was staying, questioned the caretaker about his whereabouts, and once more displayed his photograph.
These incidents are not isolated. They follow recent cases involving Student Regent Rashella Ballesteros, Eyu Bartolome, Cairo Sandoval, and Loi Matias, as well as reports of red-tagging tarpaulins posted within the CLSU campus. Taken together, these incidents point to an alarming climate of intimidation that threatens the exercise of fundamental rights and academic freedom.
KARAPATAN Central Luzon stresses that human rights work is not a crime. Providing legal assistance, documenting violations, visiting political prisoners, and defending the rights of the marginalized are legitimate and protected activities. Harassment, surveillance, and intimidation against human rights defenders have no place in a democratic society.
We urgently call on the Commission on Human Rights–Region III to conduct an immediate, impartial, and thorough investigation into these incidents. We likewise urge the Committee on the Formulation of Guidelines on Addressing Red-tagging Concerns of CLSU to take decisive action to ensure the safety and protection of students, faculty, and university stakeholders.
We demand an immediate end to all forms of harassment, surveillance, red-tagging, and intimidation against Jose Marti and all human rights defenders and activists in Central Luzon. Those responsible must be identified and held accountable.
Military, police, and intelligence agencies must respect human rights, uphold academic freedom, and stay out of our schools and communities.
Defending human rights is never a crime.
Hands Off Central Luzon!
Stop the Attacks on Human Rights Defenders!
