We, the Citizens’ Disaster Response Network (CDRN), a network of disaster response and disaster risk reduction (DRR) organizations all over the country that assist the most affected and least served communities during disasters strongly condemn the fabricated charge of rebellion filed against our colleague Florence “Renz” Kang for which a warrant of arrest has been issued.

Renz is the Executive Director of Ilocos Center for Research, Empowerment, and Development (ICRED), a CDRN member based in the Ilocos Region. The rebellion case filed against Renz and six other activists including Jennifer Awingan of the Cordillera Peoples’ Alliance (CPA) who was arrested on January 30, 2023 refers to an incident on October 27, 2022 in Brgy. Gacab, Malibcong, Abra. Four members of the Philippine Army were attacked and two were killed by alleged elements of the New Peoples’ Army (NPA) during the incident.

Photo taken during Relief Delivery Operation last October 29, 2022 in Pasaleng, Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte to communities affected by Pagudpud landslide.

The seven activists named in the warrant of arrest have been constantly under attack for the past few years through state-instigated political vilification, surveillance, harassment, and trumped-up charges.

As a humanitarian worker, Renz has facilitated numerous humanitarian projects including relief distribution to disaster survivors and has implemented innovative projects like the current Siphon-based potable water system for farming communities in Ilocos.

This is not the first-time state forces attempted to depict him in a bad light. Despite tirelessly working for the most vulnerable and least-served communities, Renz has received various threats and has been harassed through surveillance and red/terror-tagging. His unwavering commitment to assisting communities in dire straits, especially during disaster situations has never caused violence and terror. Above all, he was never an enemy of the people.

CDRN believes the attack against Renz and other development workers is an attack against the people they serve. As humanitarian organizations, we complement government efforts to address the root causes of poverty and deliver basic services to the poor and marginalized. We do not deserve to be threatened and be treated as terrorists!

As part of the humanitarian community, we call on the court to drop the charges against Renz and six other development workers and activists. We also call on the state to stop these ceaseless attacks and fabrication of fake charges against those who serve the people. We will hold the government responsible should any harm befall our colleagues with their fraudulent accusations that jeopardize security and lives.

We further call on the community of development and humanitarian workers to join us in condemning all forms of attacks against our ranks.

Reference:
Minet Aguisanda
Chairperson, CDRN
lcde1988@yahoo.com