Activists dragged by police officers in front of the Univeristy of the Philippines Cebu campus. (Photo by Rappler)

About the protest

According to Rappler, the Cebu City police in combat gear and SWAT team members have entered and arrested seven protesters in the University of the Philippines Cebu on June 5. They joined together to protest against the anti-terrorism bill. Know more about the #JunkTerrorBill movement here.

The Cebu7 protesters arrested who were arrested this morning. (Photo by Tug-ani)

According to Tug-ani, the student publication of UP Cebu, the following arrested are held at Camp Sotero Cabahug, Cebu City Police Office after they repeatedly did not heed to the warnings to disperse:

• Jaime Paglinawan of BAYAN Central Visayas
• Bern Cañedo of UP Cebu University Student Council
• Nar Athena Mae Porlas of Anakbayan UP Cebu
• Dyan Paula Gumanao of Kabataan Partylist Cebu
• Janry Ubal of Food Not Bombs Cebu
• Joahanna Veloso of National Union of Students of the Philippines
• Al Ingking, UP alumni
• Clement Corominas, bystander

Soto-Enrile Accord

Taken from INQUIRER.NET:

Their lawyer, Rey Fernandez, questioned the arrests, citing a 1982 agreement between the state university and the military and police barring their entry into UP campuses without the latter’s consent.

That agreement, signed by then Defense Secretary Fidel Ramos and then UP president Jose Abueva, is known in UP as the Soto-Enrile Accord, in reference to student leader Sonia Soto and then Defense Minister Juan Ponce Enrile.

The agreement states in part that “members of the AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) or the PC-INP (Philippine Constabulary-Integrated National Police, the predecessor of the Philippine National Police), or the Cafgu (Citizen Armed Force Geographical Unit, a now-defunct militia group) shall not interfere with peaceful protest actions by UP constituents within UP premises.”

In her statement following Friday’s arrests, UP Cebu chancellor Liza Corro also cited the 1982 agreement.

Updates on Cebu8

View the updates from different news sites starting with the latest. Click on the timestamp to view the full source:

JUNE 8

5:25PM: One of #Cebu8 detainees received death threats. Al Ingking’s residence was “visited” by unknown men around 1:50PM. They were seen riding a Silver Avanza with a plate number YGB-903.

5:42PM: Bern Cañedo, Nar Porlas, and the rest of Cebu 8 are released today, June 8.

The release order was issued by Cebu City Municipal Trial Court in Cities (MTCC) Branch 4 Judge Jenelyn Villaceran Forrosuelo. The defense is given ten (10) days to comment on the charges. No bail amount was required by the judge based on the release order.

6:54PM: All of Cebu 8 have stepped out of the station at around 6:50 p.m. tonight.

7:56PM: Since the detainees were released without bail required, the legal team is currently prioritizing audit and options on what to do with the amassed financial donations. They are expected to notify everyone with an update as soon as possible.

JUNE 7

5:39PM: Due to COVID-19 protocols, instead of family visits, Cebu 8 was granted video calls with their loved ones.

10:08PM: They have suspended the acceptance of donations on June 6. The assigned team for the donation drive is still in the process of accounting every donation received. An official audit of the expenses will be released to the public for purposes of transparency.

10:59PM: Youth Act Now Against Tyranny Cebu is calling for signatories for individuals/organizations who/which are willing to show solidarity for #ReleaseCebu8.

Updates on Cebu8

JUNE 6

4:45AM: Protesters are said to have violated Batas Pambansa (BP) 880 or the Public Assembly Act and the general community quarantine (GCQ) Omnibus Guidelines section 4 paragraph 12 which was the prohibition of mass gatherings.

12:44PM: The arrested protesters and bystander were subjected to inquest proceedings at around 11 a.m., June 6 (Saturday). They will be transferred to Police Station 3 (Waterfront Police Station) for further detention. Only lawyers, family, and relatives are allowed to visit the detainees.

2:46PM: The Philippine National Police (PNP) sees nothing wrong in the arrest of seven protesters inside the University of the Philippines (UP) Cebu Campus despite an existing agreement that policemen and soldiers could not conduct operations inside all UP campuses without prior notice or approval of the School Administration.

3:12PM: The police, who were in riot gear and carrying long firearms, claimed that it was the unarmed protesters who “assaulted” them.

7:24PM: It is expected that they can post bail for the 8 detained persons on Monday, June 8. While they are considering to file appropriate countercharges against arresting policemen, the priority is the immediate release of the detainees to be safe from acquiring Covid-19.

7:36PM: A video of the arrest of Jaime Paglinawan or Lolo Jeps, a 60-year-old union organizer, has circulated online. He was knelt on by cops wearing civilian clothes while being arrested. He was crying for pain, "agay agay sakit akong abaga."

The night before, he was left to sleep sitting only on a monobloc chair, others on cardboard.

JUNE 5

11:54AM: The phones of those arrested have been confiscated.

1:10PM: Police not in uniform have blocked the entrance of healthcare professionals into the UP Cebu campus despite there being injured protestors.

1:35PM: From Lorraine Ecarma of The Freeman: "Currently waiting outside UP Cebu to talk to students and activists stuck inside. I was not allowed entry and the security chief refused to relay to the chancellor that a media person is outside waiting for her."

4:57PM: The Commission on Human Rights has dispatched a Quick Response Team to assist the protestors detained at Camp Sotero.

5:18 PM: In a statement, UP Cebu Chancellor Liza Corro mentions that the UP Cebu administration is deeply disturbed by the incident this morning of police dispersing and arresting peaceful protesters within the vicinity of the campus.

7:17PM: Among those arrested were 7 activists and one bystander who did not participate in the rally. At least 27 protesters are still stuck inside the campus while police are posted outside, on Gorordo Avenue.

Donate to the Community Bail Fund of #RELEASECEBU8.

GCASH: 09064414320 (Howell Villacrus)
PAYPAL: http://paypal.me/chadbooc

BANK
BPI: 4239044773 (Chad Errol Booc)
BDO Unibank Inc.: 010780114639 (Karen Ong Yap)