Media Quote
Responding to news of child rights activist, Sally Ujano’s acquittal, Ritz Lee Santos, III, Section Director of Amnesty International Philippines, said:
“Sally Ujano’s acquittal did not come as a surprise because her arrest and detention should never have occurred in the first place. Her case demonstrates clear miscarriage of justice and the improper use of criminal proceedings based on trumped up charges against a human rights defender.
“The continuing pattern of harassment of human rights defenders, journalists, and development workers remains the biggest setback for activists, peoples’ organizations, and human rights groups to legitimately carry out their work. Sally Ujano was arrested during Duterte’s presidency, and since then, human rights defenders suffer the abuse of the Anti-Terrorism Act, even after President Marcos, Jr. took over. These two administrations have been relentless in silencing dissent and criticism by curtailing peoples’ right to freedom of expression, assembly and association.
Judicial processes have also been misused where prolonged legal proceedings become punitive measures or serve as threats to others who carry on with their activism and development work. This subsequently paralyzes the operations of activist organizations, therefore affecting the programs and services they provide to marginalized sectors.
“While we welcome Sally Ujano’s release, her case must be viewed alongside ongoing cases of similar concerns. Frenchie Mae Cumpio was again denied bail after filing a motion for reconsideration following the promulgation of charges. Judicial processes have also been misused where prolonged legal proceedings become punitive measures or serve as threats to others who carry on with their activism and development work. This subsequently paralyzes the operations of activist organizations, therefore affecting the programs and services they provide to marginalized sectors.
“Amnesty International Philippines renews our call to the government to cease any form of intimidation and harassment against HRDs, and ensure protection by renewing efforts to pass the Human Rights Defenders Protection Act. In light of Ujano’s acquittal, Marcos Jr.’s government must conduct a prompt, independent, impartial and transparent investigations into abuses in the implementation of the Anti – Terrorism Act and related laws that continue to pose a threat to those wrongly accused of terrorism, by granting the government excessive and unchecked powers, and being susceptible to arbitrary and discriminatory enforcement.
Background
On 24 March 2026, the Court of Appeals acquitted Ma. Salome “Sally” Crisostomo-Ujano, a staunch human rights activist, of rebellion charges. She was arrested by the PNP in November 2021 on a standing warrant issued in 2006. Ujano who was imprisoned for year was officially released on 26 March.