DAVAO CITY (MindaNews / 6 December) – Progressive groups have renewed their call for the release of six human rights advocates, collectively known as the “Agusan 6,” who were arrested in Bunawan, Agusan del Sur last 13 June.

Fauzhea Guiani, spokesperson for the Free Agusan 6 Network, said during a press conference at Barrio Bistro on Friday that human rights defenders continue to face harassment at the hands of authorities.

She said the Agusan 6 –Charisse Bernadine “Chaba” Bañez, Louvaine Erika “Beng” Espina, Ronnie Igloria, Larry Montero, Arjie Guino Dadizon, and Grace “Niknik” Man-aning – are facing trumped-up charges of murder, frustrated murder, illegal possession of firearms, and unlawful possession of explosives.

She said the Agusan 6 are political prisoners who are peasant organizers defending the rights of farmers and indigenous peoples in Mindanao.

According to her, five of the six are currently detained at the provincial jail in Barangay Patin-ay, Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur, while Man-aning was taken to the 60th Infantry Battalion (60th IB) in Asuncion, Davao del Norte, where she is currently held.

She said it remains unclear why Man-Aning was separated from the rest of the group and detained at the 60th IB, adding the authorities only informed them she was considered a “high-risk individual.”

The progressive groups demanded the return of Man-aning to the civilian prison, emphasizing that the military has no jurisdiction over her, Guiani said.

Fe Salino, secretary general of the Samahan ng mga Ex-Detainees Laban sa Detensyon at Aresto–Southern Mindanao Region, said the Agusan 6 are among the 42 political prisoners still detained in different prisons across Mindanao.

She also highlighted the challenges faced by political prisoners still in detention, saying they are cramped in jails, separated from their families, subjected to protracted criminal prosecution due to repeated postponements of trials, and deprived of assistance from private lawyers. (Antonio L. Colina IV/MindaNews)