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IP activist cleared of terror financing charges
A regional trial court in Pangasinan, Philippines, has acquitted indigenous peoples' rights activist Sarah Abelon Alikes of terror financing charges due to insufficient evidence. Human rights groups welcomed the ruling, calling the cases an attempt to silence advocates.
URDANETA CITY, Pangasinan, Philippines — The Regional Trial Court Branch 73 here has acquitted Sarah Abelon Alikes, an indigenous peoples’ rights activist, of terrorism financing charges. In the ruling, the court granted Alikes’ demurrer to evidence and dismissed the charge for violation of the Terrorism Financing Prevention and Suppression Act. The court said the prosecutors failed to show that Alikes knowingly gave money, property or any form of support for terrorist activities, adding that the police witnesses failed to present direct evidence linking her to the alleged offense. In 2023, the Anti-Terrorism Council tagged Alikes and three other Cordillera Peoples Alliance leaders as terrorists, leading to the freezing of their bank accounts. Alikes had also faced rebellion charges in Abra, which were dismissed in 2023. Human rights and indigenous groups welcomed the acquittal, saying the cases against her were meant to silence indigenous rights advocates. Information Source: Philstar Nation
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Philstar Nation