Panaghiusa calls for accountability after court dismisses trumped-up charge vs. IP rights advocate

[TAGALOG] Panaghiusa nananawagan ng pananagutan matapos ibasura ng korte ang gawa-gawang kaso laban sa IP rights advocate

The Panaghiusa Philippine Network to Uphold Indigenous Peoples' Rights welcomes the dismissal of the baseless and politically motivated charge against Myrna Cruz-Abraham, a staunch advocate for Indigenous Peoples' rights.

Myrna Cruz-Abraham. Photo from Karapatan National Capital Region.

On August 4, 2025, Presiding Judge Conrado Tabaco of Cagayan Regional Trial Court Branch 9 issued the decision to dismiss the trumped-up frustrated murder charge against Myrna. This ruling affirms what human rights defenders have long asserted: that the case was baseless, politically motivated, and intended to intimidate and silence her.

Myrna’s arrest and detention were emblematic of the continuing pattern of harassment and criminalization faced by the Indigenous Peoples and advocates who dare to speak truth to power and defend their ancestral lands. Her case was not an isolated incident. It was part of a broader campaign to silence dissent and dismantle grassroots resistance to destructive development projects and militarization in ancestral lands.

Her arrest took place in broad daylight, while she was at a mall with her family, underscoring the brazenness of the authorities and the disregard for due process and dignity. The undated arrest warrant, served without proper documentation or explanation, reflects the alarming erosion of legal safeguards for Indigenous advocates.

After a week of detention, Myrna was released on bail to face the fabricated charge. Throughout the legal proceedings, her case was subjected to repeated delays and hearing resets—tactics commonly used to wear down political prisoners and prolong their suffering. These procedural abuses mirror the experiences of hundreds of activists and Indigenous leaders who remain unjustly incarcerated across the country.

While Myrna is now free from false charges, many Indigenous Peoples and advocates remain behind bars or under threat. We call on the government to end the practice of red-tagging, arbitrary arrests, and the use of the justice system to persecute those who defend the Indigenous Peoples’ rights.

We commend the legal team, human rights defenders, and community members who stood by Myrna throughout this ordeal. Their unwavering support and collective action were instrumental in securing justice and exposing the fabricated nature of the allegations.

We also demand accountability. Those responsible for the unlawful arrest of Myrna Cruz-Abraham must be held to account. The institutions and individuals who enabled this injustice must not be allowed to act with impunity.

This case must serve as a wake-up call to the Marcos Jr. administration and all branches of government: the continued weaponization of the law against Indigenous Peoples and their defenders is a grave violation of human rights and democratic principles. The right to organize, speak out, and protect Indigenous rights must be upheld—not criminalized.

Panaghiusa reaffirms its commitment to stand with the Indigenous Peoples and advocates. We urge all sectors to remain vigilant and to continue building solidarity across movements to protect those who protect our future. #

Reference:

Rikki Mae Gono

National Coordinator

Panaghiusa Philippine Network to Uphold Indigenous Peoples’ Rights