MANILA – Progressive groups led by Makabayan have denounced the filing of "trumped up" charges against six activists in Cagayan Valley last February and March.

Among those facing cases for violation of Republic Act No. 10168 or the Terrorism Financing Prevention and Suppression Act (TFPSA) of 2012 are: former Karapatan national council member Jackie Valencia, Anakpawis Party-list fourth nominee Isabelo Adviento, Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas national council member Cita Managuelod, and environmental activist and journalist Deo Montesclaros. 

Kabataan Party-list Regional Coordinator Walter Villegas and Makabayan-Cagayan Valley regional coordinator Agnes Mesina have been slapped with violation of Republic Act No. 10591 or illegal possession of firearms and ammunition. 

In a press conference on Monday, Makabayan President and senatorial candidate Liza Maza said the attacks are an attempt to discredit, discriminate and harass candidates and groups running under the Makabayan coalition in the 2025 midterm elections.

"Ngayon tumatakbo na 12 ang senatoriables ng Makabayan at may apat kaming party-list at meron din kaming sinusuportahan. Dahil sa strength ng Makabayan ngayon, ginagawa ang lahat ng pwedeng gawin kasama na itong pagsasampa ng mga trumped up cases dito sa aming liders, coordinators at saka members," she said. 

"Aming kinokondena itong pagpigil sa Makabayan na ituloy-tuloy ikampanya ang aming mga senatoriables at aming pinapatakbo sa lokal. Ito ay isang malaking violation ng Comelec rules kasi andiyan parin yung red-tagging na pinagbabawal na ng Comelec," Maza added. 

The Makabayan president said they will file a complaint before the Commission on Elections (Comelec) in relation to red-tagging and discrimination.

"Itong mga kinasuhan ay mga activists. Hindi sila armado, hindi sila NPA, hindi sila working underground. They are open leaders of various organizations," Maza said. 

"Malinaw na naka-design ito sa panahon ng pagkakampanya namin. Kaya gusto kaming pilayan doon sa Cagayan Valley. Nakikita namin na ganito yung trend na ginagawa nationwide laban sa amin,"  she added.

Maza likewise vouched for Mesina, who has long been an activist working with Makabayan and previously Bayan Muna.

"Mula pa noon ay meron nang harassment, political harassment at repression kay Agnes. At pagpigil sa pangangampanya ng aming officers at members ng Bayan Muna sa Cagayan Valley. Ngayon ay nakikita natin ang patuloy na repression sa members at officers ng Makabayan," Maza said. 

"The fact that they can file trumped up charges and accuse them for terrorist financing is intended to give a chilling effect to all NGOs, to all the activists that are legitimately undertaking support for the people. Malinaw gawa-gawa ito ng NTF-ELCAC," she added. 

In a video statement, the activists maintained they are fighting for legitimate issues and voicing out concerns of the poor and farmers in the Cagayan Valley.

"Walang ibang layon ang mga kasong ito kundi patahimikin ang aming adbokasiya, para sa karapatan at kapakanan ng mga magsasaka at maralitang mamamayan ng Cagayan Valley. Nais ng NTF-ELCAC na ihiwalay kami sa agos ng pakikibaka ng mamamayan para sa kalayaan at demokrasya sa ating bayan," they said. 

The activists also slammed the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) and government for the continued attacks, calling for the abolition of the agency. 

The groups believe the activists are being targeted in relation to their being vocal and critical on issues in the region, including the creation of new EDCA sites in Cagayan.

Under the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., human rights group Karapatan has documented at least 462 victims of illegal arrests based on such bogus criminal cases as of December 2024.

Makabayan Coalition said at least 166 individuals have been charged or designated as terrorists. Meanwhile, 17 NGOs mostly engaged in development work, had their bank accounts frozen.