KARAPATAN hits denial of information on arrested activist, filing of trumped-up charges
KARAPATAN Public Information
PRESS RELEASE
04 August 2026
Reference: Cristina Palabay, KARAPATAN secretary general, 09173162831
KARAPATAN Public Information Desk, 09189790580
KARAPATAN hits denial of information on arrested activist, filing of trumped-up charges
KARAPATAN condemns the withholding of information on the whereabouts of community organizer Binay Serrano, who was arrested together with Christina Pasion on July 30 in Cabuyao, Laguna.
For nearly three days, Serrano’s whereabouts remained undisclosed. A humanitarian team eventually located her at the San Jose District Jail in Occidental Mindoro, where she is currently detained and facing a trumped up murder charge in Occidental Mindoro. The team also provided her with basic goods for her needs.
Based on information gathered by the KARAPATAN Southern Tagalog, Serrano had already been brought to the San Jose District Jail as early as Friday, July 31. Despite this, the Cabuyao Philippine National Police allegedly concealed and denied information on her location, preventing her family, lawyers, paralegals, and humanitarian groups from immediately locating her and providing her with necessary assistance.
KARAPATAN stressed that the unjustified withholding of information on Serrano’s whereabouts is a serious violation of the rights of persons deprived of liberty. "An arrested person has the right to promptly communicate with and be visited by counsel, as well as to receive legal assistance and other necessary support. Concealing a detainee’s location effectively obstructs these rights and places the arrested person at greater risk of abuse and further violations," said Cristina Palabay, KARAPATAN secretary general.
“The concealment of Serrano’s whereabouts for days is a serious violation of her rights. By refusing to disclose where she was being detained, the police effectively prevented his family, lawyers, paralegals, and humanitarian groups from locating her and providing immediate assistance. There is absolutely no justification for withholding information on her whereabouts,” said Palabay.
KARAPATAN also condemns the filing of a murder charge against Serrano, which the organization said is part of the continuing criminalization of community organizers.
“Serrano and Pasion's arrests reflects the long-standing pattern of police and military filing fabricated charges such as murder and illegal possession of firearms against community organizers. Those who stand with and serve the people are criminalized and prosecuted, while the violations committed against them remain unaddressed. Meanwhile, the corrupt in power are scot-free,” Palabay said.
KARAPATAN reiterates its call for the junking of trumped up charges against Serrano and Pasion.
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KARAPATAN is an alliance of human rights organizations and programs, human rights desks and committees of people’s organizations, and individual advocates committed to the defense and promotion of people’s rights and civil liberties. It monitors and documents cases of human rights violations, assists and defends victims and conducts education, training and campaign. It was established in 1995.