Campaign Launched for Release of Activists

By Juliane Judilla

Family, friends, and human rights groups have launched the “Freedom and Care for Tomas Dominado Jr. and Other Human Rights Defenders Network,” advocating for the immediate release of Dominado and other political prisoners detained on what they claim are baseless charges.

The campaign, formally introduced on December 19, 2024, seeks to highlight the plight of Dominado, a 74-year-old activist suffering from critical health conditions while in police custody.

The network called on authorities to prioritize Dominado’s health by ensuring his confinement in a hospital or, as a humanitarian alternative, house arrest to facilitate proper medical care.

Dominado, who has long been involved in human rights campaigns, was arrested on December 5 during a police operation in Sooc, Arevalo, Iloilo City. He remains hospitalized at West Visayas State University Medical Center.

Authorities also apprehended his companion for alleged illegal possession of firearms, citing violations of the Anti-Terrorism Law.

Human rights advocates denounced Dominado’s detention as unjust and politically motivated, arguing that it mirrors a systemic effort to suppress dissent and silence activists.

“This is not just about one person. It’s about a system that seeks to suppress voices of dissent and accountability,” said Maywan Dominado, his daughter, who also called attention to the plight of her mother, Ma. Luisa Posa Dominado, a staunch activist abducted by suspected military personnel in 2007.

“I hope you will join us in this campaign, just as you joined us in calling to free and surface Ma. Luisa Posa Dominado,” she added.

The network vowed to amplify its efforts through public campaigns, legal advocacy, and international solidarity, aiming to pressure the government into addressing what they see as a growing human rights crisis.

Members of the network also called for the unconditional release of all political prisoners, underscoring the need to uphold human rights and dismantle systemic injustices against activists in the country.

The group described Dominado’s imprisonment as a reflection of the broader repression faced by those advocating for justice and equality.