Responding to news about the arrest and detention of Lejun Dela Cruz, Magsasaka political nominee and activist , Jepie Papa, Amnesty International Philippines Acting Director said:
“Accounts surrounding the arrest of Lejun dela Cruz raise serious concerns about the Philippine National Police’s enforcement of the law and possible abuse of police powers. According to media reports, dela Cruz’s lawyer said he was a victim of a ‘botched assassination’, during which he was fired at by people who later identified themselves as police supposedly serving an arrest warrant against him. Dela Cruz could not be contacted until he was located in police custody over an alleged charge of murder.
Amnesty International Philippines finds the possible targeting of an electoral candidate and activist deplorable, adding to a growing pattern of state-sponsored repression and silencing of those fighting for justice, accountability, and human rights.
“This irregularity is not an isolated incident; there have been several reports by organizations of similar encounters with the police under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr’s watch. These incidents prove that a broader campaign to intimidate political activists and human rights defenders is in motion. Amnesty International Philippines denounces the increasing dangers faced by HRDs where a pattern of attacks using a combination of surveillance, red-tagging, and the misuse of anti-terrorism legislations is used to sow fear among activists and human rights defenders.
“Amnesty calls for a prompt investigation of the alleged irregularities in PNP’s conduct of operations, including the potential unlawful use of force against dela Cruz, and for the PNP to ensure that he remains safe and has access to his family, lawyers and medical attention while in custody.”
Jepie Papa, Amnesty International Philippines Acting Director
“Amnesty calls for a prompt investigation of the alleged irregularities in PNP’s conduct of operations, including the potential unlawful use of force against dela Cruz, and for the PNP to ensure that he remains safe and has access to his family, lawyers and medical attention while in custody. The authorities must provide a clear reason for his arrest based on admissible evidence against him. Amnesty also calls on the Marcos administration to provide effective guarantees to ensure the safety of political candidates in the run up to mid-term elections and pass the Human Rights Defenders Protection Act as a first step towards recognizing the work of activists and human rights defenders in the Philippines.”
Background
On 2 February, Lejun dela Cruz, was reported missing by Magsasaka Party List on their official Facebook Page citing possible abduction after individuals riding a car and two motorcycles allegedly open-fired at his vehicle. Hours later dela Cruz was found to be in the custody of Pasig Police after being served a warrant of arrest for a 1998 murder charge.
Dela Cruz is a former commander of the Alex Boncayao Brigade (ABB), an armed group affiliated with the CPP-NPA that operated in Metro Manila and Rizal. ABB was dissolved in 1997. He is also one of Magsasaka Party List’s nominees for the 2025 Philippine mid-term elections. Dela Cruz is also a former board member of Amnesty International Philippines.
