Free All Political Prisoners! Shutdown SMNI and Arrest Quiboloy!

GABRIELA USA objects the decision to release prominent red-taggers, Lorraine Badoy and Jeffery Celiz on “humanitarian grounds,” meanwhile 795 political prisoners, including elderly, women and people suffering from illness, remain illegally imprisoned. Badoy and Celiz, broadcasters on convicted sex trafficker and rapist Apollo Quiboloy’s news channel SMNI, were cited for contempt for lying about their revenue and spreading misinformation. They remain dangerous to the people, as rampant red-taggers, irresponsible reporters, and proven, outright liars.

International Human Rights day, which was celebrated on December 10, calls into question whose human rights are valued and whose aren’t. While Badoy and Celiz get to walk free from their detainment, there are political prisoners, with at least 84 being arrested under the Marcos Jr.-Duterte regime, who experience overcrowded prisons, malnutrition from low-quality food, being held incommunicado from their family and outside support, and even death.

If Badoy and Celiz get to invoke “humanitarian grounds” as the base for their release, then the Philippine government should follow suit with all political prisoners who are experiencing inhumane living conditions while detained. Real criminals, like Apollo Quiboloy, should be imprisoned. There should not be a bending of laws for the rich while the poor are not only neglected but targeted.

GABRIELA USA stands with the victims of Apollo Quiboloy, the victims of red-tagging and slander by Badoy and Celiz, and the hundreds of political prisoners who are denied their basic human rights.

Free all political prisoners!
Shutdown SMNI!
Arrest Apollo Quiboloy!