Isang taon ng patay na lider magsasaka, sinampahan ng gawa-gawang kaso ng Aquino government

Press Release: June 1, 2011

Aquino administration still filing trumped-up charges against dead militant

Silang, Cavite – On the first year death anniversary of Rogelio Galit, a peasant leader and activist from Cavite received a subpoena instead of prayers.

Galit, popularly known as Mamay to his family and comrades in the peasant movement in Southern Tagalog died on June 1 last year succumbing to diabetes and heart ailment.

Galit was part of the 72 activists and leaders charged with murder and frustrated murder in Mindoro last 2007. The group was allegedly involved in a New People’s Army ambuscade.

He was arrested on November 6, 2008 in spite of being sick and bed ridden and was only released the following year when the court in Mindoro ruled in favor of the detained activists.

Galit was imprisoned along with other 6 co-accused including Remegio Saladero, a labor lawyer.

“This is a blatant abuse of power of the state. This is ridiculous,” an angered Axel Pinpin, secretary general of the Katipunan ng mga Samahang Magbubukid sa Timog Katagalugan stated during a tribute activity for Galit in the latter’s home.

“No one in his right mind will do this to a dead person. This is a product of dirty imagination of the armed state elements” added Pinpin, referring to the new murder and multiple charges gainst the “ST-72” filed before the Provincial Prosecutor’s office in San Pablo City

Kasama-TK condemned the latest attempt of the government to persecute the leaders and members of progressive organizations.

After a mass celebration that signaled the end of mourning for Galit, the group proceeded to Silang Town Plaza and hold a condemnation rally and call for the junking of the new trumped-up charges against the “ST-72”.

Meanwhile, militant group Bagong Alyansang Makabayan - Southern Tagalog (BAYAN-ST) asserts that this recycling of trumped-up charges attests the state’s fascist character. “As we pay our highest tribute to Ka Mamay, we condemn in harshest possible terms the re-affirmation of Aquino of its predecessor Arroyo’s wrong-doings by extending Oplan Bantay Laya II and now pursuing Oplan Bayanihan,” in a statement by XL Fuentes, BAYAN-ST’s spokesperson.

“Natatapos sa babang-luksa ni Mamay ang pagdadalamhati namin, at ngayon din nagsisimulang muli ang pakikibaka namin para itaguyod ang mga karapatang sibil ng mamamayan,” said the wife of Galit.#