[SIGN ON] Surface Rowena Dasig

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Sign on to urgently call to immediately and safely surface Rowena Dasig, a dedicated Filipina youth leader and environmental advocate:

https://tinyurl.com/SurfaceRowenaDasig

Sign-on Statement to Surface Rowena Dasig

We, the undersigned, urgently call for public support to surface Rowena Dasig, a dedicated youth leader and environmental advocate whose whereabouts are still unknown.

On July 12, 2023, Rowena Dasig, along with fellow human rights defender Miguela Peniero, was arrested by military forces while the two were researching the situation of coconut farmers and fisherfolk in Atimonan, Quezon in relation to a power plant of Atimonan One Energy, Inc. They were accused of illegal possession of firearms and explosives, charges that have been widely recognized as fabricated.

On August 20, 2024, the Gumaca Regional Trial Court Branch 172 granted a demurrer to evidence, resulting in their acquittal.

However, despite this victory, Rowena’s situation remains uncertain. When members of the team formed by Karapatan Southern Tagalog and the Free Owen and Ella Network composed of paralegals and human rights advocates went to the Lucena City District Jail (LCDJ) on August 21, 8:00AM to process her release papers, they faced delays from the LCDJ. They found out the following day that Rowena was supposedly released but her legal counsel and paralegals were not informed. According to LCDJ, she was fetched by her family. When her family was asked about this, they said they also did not know Rowena’s whereabouts. The team requested help from government agencies but to no avail.

Rowena Dasig, affectionately known as “Owen” among her peers, is the Secretary-General of Anakbayan Southern Tagalog. A resident of Rizal Province, she pursued a degree in Medical Laboratory Science at Our Lady of Fatima University before choosing to dedicate herself full-time to activism, particularly during the challenges brought on by the pandemic. Her commitment to advocating for the rights of marginalized communities, especially farmers and fishermen affected by environmental threats, exemplifies her courage and dedication to social justice.

We must take action to ensure Rowena’s safety and to stand against the systemic attacks faced by environment and human rights defenders in the Philippines. The Philippines has been known as one of the most dangerous places for environmental defenders in the world. Her case highlights the broader issues of human rights violations and the dangers that they encounter. By supporting Rowena, we are not only advocating for her rights but also for the rights of all individuals who bravely stand up against injustices in their communities.

We urge the public, civil society organizations, and the international community to join us in this call for action. Let us unite to demand accountability for those responsible for Rowena’s unjust treatment and to ensure that her voice, along with those of other defenders, is heard and respected. The fight for justice and the protection of human rights is a collective responsibility, and together, we can make a difference.

In signing this statement, we reaffirm our commitment to supporting Rowena Dasig and all environmental and human rights defenders. We must act now to safeguard their lives and work, ensuring justice prevails for those who dedicate themselves to protecting our planet and our freedoms.

Signed:

(As of September 3, 5:40PM: Total of 370 signatories, 136 organizations and 234 individuals)

Organizations

Free Owen and Ella Network
Karapatan Southern Tagalog
Environmental Defenders Congress
Asia Pacific Network of Environmental Defenders
Kalikasan People’s Network for the Environment
Kalikasan Timog Katagalugan
Center for Environmental Concerns – Philippines Inc.
KOTHOWAIN (Vulnerable Peoples Development Organization) Bandarban Hill Tract, Bangladesh
SERUNI
Alliance for Future Generations – Fiji
Society for Peace and Sustainable Development
National Union of Students of the Philippines – Southern Tagalog
Anakbayan Rizal
Yayasan Pusaka Bentala Rakyat
UPLB Forestry Society
Aliansi Masyarakat Adat Nusantara (AMAN) Wilayah Maluku
Tambisan sa Sining – Sta. Mesa
Southern Tagalog Exposure
CFNR Freshman Bloc Assembly
Kapitaran Simbahan Para sa Bayan(KASIMBAYAN)
Indigenous Womens Network-Bai, Inc.
League of Filipino Students UPLB
National Network of Agrarian Reform Advocates Youth UPLB
Sandugo – Movement of Moro and Indigenous Peoples for Self-Determination
Katribu Kalipunan ng Katutubong Mamamayan ng Pilipinas
First Quarter Storm Movement
INNABUYOG-Alliance of Indigenous Women’s Organization in the Cordillera Region, Philippines
Cordillera Human Rights Alliance
Inisiasi Masyarakat Adat (IMA)
Lakapati Laguna
IBON Foundation
Kabataan para sa Tribung Pilipino (KATRIBU)
Kabataan para sa Tribung Pilipino (KATRIBU) – UP Diliman Chapter
Kabataan para sa Tribung Pilipino (KATRIBU) – UP Manila Chapter
Samahang Ekolohiya ng UPLB
Roots for Equity
Tambisan sa Sining
UP Lady Veterinary Students’ Association
Unyon ng mga Manggagawa sa Agrikultura (UMA)
TIPD-Turkana Indigenous People Action for Development
Rural Development Organization
PANALIPDAN! Mindanao
Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap (KADAMAY)
Women Working for Justice and Peace in the Cordillera
JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF)
Protect Sierra Madre for the People (PSM)
Association For Promotion Sustainable Development
UP Alpha Chiron Society
Mindoro Youth for Environment and Nation
Pakistan Fisherfolk Forum
Panday Sining UPLB
Kartunista-Manunulat Kolektib
Bukluran para sa Ibang Kalikasan
Education Training & Service for Community-Nepal
Umalohokan, Inc.
Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA)
Forum Petani Plasma Buol
International Migrants Alliance
Center for sustainable community development
Front Line Defenders
Kabataan para sa Tribung Pilipino – KATRIBU PUP
UPLB Sigma Rho Fraternity
Buliisa Initiative for Rural Development Organisation (BIRUDO)
Defenders in Development campaign
Oyu Tolgou Watch
Inclusive Development International
Green Advocates International
UPLB Writers’ Club
Pulso Han Mag-aaram
ONG Sustentarse
Lawyers’ Association for Human Rights of Nepalese Indigenous Peoples (LAHURNIP)
Centre for Human Rights and Development
“Armenian Forests” Environmental NGO”
Ontario Committee for Human Rights in the Philippines
Femmes de diverses origines
Consejo Indígena Maya Ch’orti de Olopa Chiquimula Guatemala
Aotearoa Philippines Solidarity
UP Veterinary Medical Students’ Society
National Council of Churches in the Philippines
Indigenous Perspectives
Community Resource Centre
Gabriela Aotearoa New Zealand
Migrante Aotearoa New Zealand
Youth Advocates for Climate Action Philippines
Palangkaraya Ecological and Human Rights Studies (PROGRESS)
UP Sigma Alpha Sorority – Los Baños Chapter
Kulturang Ugnayan ng Kabataan Alay sa Bayan (KULAYAN)
Panday Sining
Equitable Cambodia
Defenders in Development Campaign
GABRIELA Alliance of Women
UP Rodeo Club
Amihan National Federation of Peasant Women
Jamaa Resource Initiatives
Accountability Counsel
Student Christian Movement of the Philippines
UP Society for the Advancement of Veterinary Education and Research
Iniciativa Mesoamericana de Mujeres Defensoras de Derechos Humanos
Anti-Imperialist Alliance
Veterinary Medical Students’ Alliance
Trend Asia
ICON Data and Learning Labs
The League of Agricultural Engineering Students (N.G.)
UP Agricultural Society
Council for People’s Development and Governance (CPDG)
PEREMPUAN AMAN
UP Agricultural and Applied Economics Circle
Makiling Initiative
Asia Pacific Forum on Women, Law and Development
Marsinah.id
National Fisheries Solidarity Movement
Anakbayan Canada
We Woman Lanka Network
StandUp Movement Lanka
Amihan National Federation of Peasant Women
Women’s Centre Sri Lanka
Initiative for Right View (IRV)
“Voice of the Plantation people” Organization
Sangat – a South Asian Feminist Network
Karmojibi Nari
Women’s association Alga
Gramya Resource Centre for Women
Women’s League of Burma
PA Bir Duino Kyrgyzstan
The UPLB Com Arts Society
The center of support and development initiatives “Umid”
Leitana Nehan Women’s Development Agency
Aksi! for gender, social and ecological justice
Aaprabasi Mahila Kamdar Samuha Nepal
Feminist League
National Indigenous Women Forum
National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers
Penn Thozhilalar Sangam (Women Workers Union)
Odhikar