Indigenous rights activist acquitted of terrorism financing raps due to insufficient evidence

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines — An Indigenous rights activist here had been acquitted of terrorism financing charges after a court in Pangasinan ruled that prosecutors failed to prove the case beyond reasonable doubt. In a June 23 resolution, Judge Crisma Vismanos-Nabua of the Urdaneta Regional Trial Court Branch 73 granted the demurrer to evidence filed by the defense. The activist, who was arrested in 2018, was accused of providing financial support to an organization allegedly linked to terrorism. However, the court found that the prosecution's evidence was insufficient to establish guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. This acquittal highlights ongoing concerns regarding the application of the Philippines' anti-terrorism law, particularly its potential impact on activists and human rights defenders. Critics argue that the law, while aimed at combating terrorism, could be used to suppress dissent and curtail freedoms of expression and association. The ruling underscores the importance of robust evidence in terrorism financing cases and the judiciary's role in ensuring that such laws are not misused. It also brings attention to the broader issue of balancing national security imperatives with the protection of civil liberties in the Philippines. Information Source: Inquirer NewsInfo