March 29, 2024

Bicol Express News

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Detained woman activist, Nelsy Rodriguez, walks out free from Bicol prison on International Human Rights Day, December 10, 2021

Nelsy Rodriguez, chairwoman of the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN) Camarines Sur. Contributed photo

On International Human Rights Day, December 10, 2021, BAYAN Camarines Sur Chairperson Nelsy Rodriguez was released from prison.

After 15 months and 4 days in the Camarines Norte Provincial Jail for a fabricated case, Nelsy Rodriguez was released by Order for provisional liberty of accused signed by Acting Presiding Judge Leo L. Intia of Branch 64 Regional Trial Court Labo, Camarines Norte.

“Who is Nelsy Rodriguez?”

Nelsy Rodriguez, 60, leader-organizer, chairwoman of the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN) Camarines Sur, has for decades stood up for the rights and welfare of various sectors of the people in Camarines Sur and the Bicol region.

It will be recalled that on September 6, 2020, Sunday night, she was arrested by at least 20 combined military and police men for an alleged, fabricated Murder case against Nelsy.

Rodriguez was denied her right to due process in the preliminary investigation, where she did not receive any subpoena from the Camarines Norte Provincial Prosecutor’s Office, so that she could have filed a counter-affidavit regarding the case against her.

“State tactic to silence critics, opposition”

The imprisonment of Nelsy Rodriguez is a forced silence on progressive leaders who have been criticizing, standing up, and fighting injustice and the rotten system under the Duterte administration.

In the very long surge of the case, many hearings were postponed due to the pandemic.

Rodriguez, her family, and BAYAN Camarines Sur are very grateful to those who have extended and continue to extend support for her.

“Provisional freedom”

Although her release was provisional liberty after posting bail, the people’s collective action was a success.

“We want you to continue the support to replace the borrowed contributions just to raise a sufficient amount of bail within the court’s set time; and for expenses until Nelsy Rodriguez’s case wins”, says BAYAN- Camarines Sur, in a statement made public after Nelsy’s release.

“The case will continue to unfold and Nelsy Rodriguez and BAYAN Camarines Sur hope that truth and justice will prevail, and that the fabricated case against her and Ramon Rescovilla, CONDOR-PISTON Bicol Deputy Secretary General, also a victim of the same fabricated case,” says the group.

“The struggle continues, says BAYAN”

Currently, there are 31 political prisoners languishing in Bicol jails. Together we can achieve their liberation.

BAYAN Camarines Sur, a mass organization of the broad sector of the people in Camarines Sur, will work harder to raise awareness, organize, and mobilize for the democratic rights of the people amidst the deplorable condition of under the Duterte Regime.