Abra court quashes rebellion case against Northern Luzon 7

by Kessha Carreon

The Bangued Regional Trial Court Branch 2 of Abra granted the motion to quash rebellion and insurrection charges against seven activists after finding insufficient grounds to include them in the case filed by the military in January.

In an order issued on May 11, 2023, Judge Corpus Alzate granted the motion of the activists to declare charges against them as void for lack of probable cause. He also ordered quashing all warrants against them in connection with the case.

“… Jennifer Awingan, Sarah Abellon-Alikes, Stephen Tauli, Windel Bolinget, Lucia Lourdes Gimenes, Nino Joseph Oconer, and Florence Kang were NEVER identified…. (and) hereby EXCLUDED from the information for lack of probable cause,” Judge Alzate said in his decision.

Windel Bolinget, chairman of the Cordillera Peoples Alliance said that the grant in their motion is a victory in their continuing struggle for peace, justice, and freedom.

“I hope this will be the last trumped-up charges against me, my colleagues, and all activists.”

The Northern Luzon 7 were charged by the military with rebellion in December 2022 after they were linked to the New People’s Army who ambushed four members of the Philippine Army in October 2022 at Sitio Kutop, Barangay Gacab, Malibcong, Abra.

Also cleared from the charge were development worker Sarah Abellon; peasant activist Lourdes Gimenez; Florence Kang of the Ilocos Center for Research, Empowerment and Development; and Niño Oconer, a correspondent of the Northern Dispatch.

Awingan was arrested in her residence in Barangay Pinsao, Baguio City on January 30 after Alzate issued a warrant against her and the six other accused. Later on, Alzate allowed the accused to post bail at P100,000 each.

In dismissing the rebellion charges, Alzate questioned the veracity of the details present in the complaint made by the military on January 3 to the prosecutor's office in Abra, which accused the activists of "overthrowing the government."

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