The Central Luzon Aeta Association (CLAA) refutes the allegations of the National Task Force Against Communist Local Insurgency (NTF-ELCAC) that National Union of People’s Lawyer (NUPL) bribed two Aetas to sign a petition against the Anti-Terror law.
“Kaming mga katutubo, wala kaming ibang inaasahang taga pagtanggol namin kundi ang NUPL o ang organisasyon ng mga abogadong nagtatanggol sa tulad naming mahihirap na walang bayad,” said Edwin Danang, secretary general of CLAA.
“Saan ka makakakita ng abogadong kusang babayaran ka (katutubo) para hawakan ang aming kaso?” he added referring to the allegations made by NTF-ELCAC.
Danang also mentioned when they visited Japer’s (One of the Aetas charged with ATL) in the detention facility, he saw Japer’s bruised face.
“Dinala sila sa munisipyo para daw mag-usap, pero ‘pag dating nila, ikinulong sila, tinortyur at pinagtapat na sila ay NPA. Kaya kinasuhan sila, doon pa sila kinasuhan ng Anti-Terror Bill.” said Danang.
The NTF-ELCAC have accused NUPL of “coercing” and “bribing” two Aetas charged under the Terror Law jn signing a petition-in-intervention against the said law.
The petition-in-intervention was however denied by the Supreme Court due to a pending case at the lower court.
It could have served as a proof of direct injury of the controversial law.
