Update (Free Jen Awingan)
January 31, 2023
Last night, January 30, Jen Awingan, accompanied by her family, was transferred to Abra Provincial Jail. Today, we received information on the rebellion case filed against her and 6 other activists, namely Windel Bolinget, Steve Tauli, Lulu Gimenez, Sarah Alikes, Niño Oconer, and Florence Kang. The case refers to an incident on October 27, 2022 in Brgy. Gacab, Malibcong, Abra where four members of the Philippine Army were attacked (2 were killed) by alleged elements of the New Peoples Army (NPA).
Jen and the 6 activists named in the warrant of arrest have been constantly under attack for the past few years through state-perpetrated political vilification, surveillance, harassment, and trumped-up charges. The law has been consistently weaponized in an attempt to subdue them, with this one being the most recent.
We enjoin everyone to continue our calls to #FreeJenAwingan and to drop the trumped-up charges against her and her fellow activists.