Iloilo judge acquits lawyer, 41 others of disobedience to authority in May 2020 rally
Iloilo judge acquits lawyer, 41 others of disobedience to authority in May 2020 rally
By Inday Espina-Varona
Rappler
MANILA – Presiding Judge Radney Reginaldo Garcia of the Iloilo City Municipal Trial Court in Cities (MTCC) Branch 7 on Wednesday, October 19, acquitted human rights lawyer Angelo Karlo Guillen and 41 others, including eight journalists, of simple disobedience to agents of a person in authority during their May 1, 2020 rally in Jaro, Iloilo.
The judge said the prosecution failed to prove the guilt of the accused beyond reasonable doubt.
Police filed complaints against the 42 defendants after arresting them as they protested the killing of Bayan Muna Iloilo coordinator Jory Porquia on April 30 of the same year.
The judge acknowledged the police were performing their roles as persons in authority that day, enforcing the executive orders (EOs) of the Iloilo City mayor and two laws often cited in banning public gatherings at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Comments (0)