Celebrities Aiza Seguerra and Liza Diño were able to raise funds so that they can post bail for the farmers who were detained following the bloody dispersal in Kidapawan City, North Cotabato that resulted in the killing of two farmers last April 1.
The couple said that through the help of fellow artists and groups, they were able to raise P546,000 to post bail for the 79 individuals, mostly farmers, who were arrested during a mass action in the said city.
On Wednesday, Kidapawan Municipal Trial Court Judge Rebecca De Leon reduced the bail of the 79 people from P12,000 to P6,000.
READ: Court reduces bail for Kidapawan farmers
The detained individuals, who joined a protest action demanding government assistance after their crops withered due to drought, are facing criminal charges including direct assault and frustrated murder.
“GOOD NEWS FOR EVERYONE!!! We were able to raise funds to cover the whole amount of 546,000 to bail out our farmers!!!! Thank you LORD!!!”
“Most came from artists from the entertainment industry and friends who readily gave their support but there were other groups who donated as well to fulfill the amount. MARAMING MARAMING SALAMAT SA TULONG NINYO (Thank you so much for your help)!” Diño said on her Facebook account on Wednesday.
The film and stage actress said that while they were able to collect the amount needed to post bail, granting them provisional liberty is just the beginning of seeking justice for the farmers.
“This is only the beginning. Mahaba-haba pa po ang journey na ito. The goal is for all these charges to be dropped at madismiss ang kaso… Wag po tayong bibitaw. Patuloy po nating ipakita ang ating pakikiisa sa kanilang laban upang makamit ang HUSTISYA,” she said.
(This is only the beginning. This journey has a long way to go. The goal is for all these charges to be dropped and the case to be dismissed. Let us not give up. Let us continue to show our support for their fight for justice.)
In the aftermath of the bloody dispersal, celebrities have also extended aid to the farmers by donating sacks of rice. Some celebrities who gave rice to the farmers were Robin Padilla, Angel Locsin, siblings Anne and Jasmine Curtis and Daniel Padilla. AJH/RAM
READ: Anne, Jasmine, Robin at Daniel bayani ng mga magsasaka sa Kidapawan, Cotabato