(Eagle News)–A group of lawyers has asked the Department of Justice to junk what it said were “baseless” sedition charges over the “Ang Totoong Narco-list” videos.
The Free Legal Assistance Group said the charges, which were filed against Vice President Leni Robredo, Leila de Lima, Antonio Trillanes, some priests including Robert Reyes, and lawyers that include Romulo Macalintal, Chel Diokno, among others, were first of all based on a witness who was “not credible.”
The group was referring to Peter Joemel Advincula, who claimed to be the yellow-hooded character “Bikoy” in the videos which accused President Rodrigo Duterte’s family, among others, of engaging in the illegal drug trade.
Advincula first surfaced to back up the allegations “Bikoy” made in the videos, but later said they were lies the opposition forced him to peddle under project Sodoma.
The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group based the filing of the charges on Advincula’s affidavit, but also included Advincula as a respondent.
The charges “are meant to silence and persecute human rights lawyers, opposition leaders, and the Church, and to send a message to anyone who dares to criticize this administration,” FLAG added.
It said the government has the duty to “ensure lawyers are able to perform all of their professional functions without intimidation, hindrance, harassment or improper interference.”
Lawyers “shall not suffer, or be threatened with, prosecution or administrative, economic or other sanctions for any action taken in accordance with recognized professional duties, standards and ethics,” FLAG said.
