Karapatan-Caraga paralegal Renalyn Tejero. Photo courtesy of Karapatan Secretary General Tina Palabay
MANILA, Philippines — Rights group Karapatan on Sunday said its paralegal in Caraga was arrested by “suspected elements” of the Philippine National Police (PNP).
According to Karapatan, Renalyn Tejero was arrested in Brgy. Lapasan in Cagayan de Oro City at 5 a.m. Sunday.
“We are currently unaware as to where she was brought. Please help us find her,” the group said.
URGENT ALERT: At 5 a.m. today, March 21, 2021, Karapatan-Caraga paralegal Renalyn Tejero was arrested in Brgy. Lapasan, Cagayan de Oro City by suspected elements of the Philippine National Police. We are currently unaware as to where she was brought. Please help us find her. pic.twitter.com/0qg7bpPTaX
— Karapatan (@karapatan) March 21, 2021
“She had been red-tagged and was at the receiving end of threats,” it added.
Cristina Palabay, Karapatan secretary-general, said Tejero, 25, was taken by policemen who entered–fully-armed and wearing bulletproof vests– the house where Tejero was staying in the city’s Barangay Lapasan.
Tejero’s phone was also taken from her, Kabataan party-list said in a separate post.
“Kinuha ang kanyang cellphone at lahat ng kanyang gamit. Sinabihan din siya ng mga pulis na may dala silang warrant at aarestuhin siya base sa kanyang ‘kaso’ sa Cabadbaran City, Agusan del Norte; pinosasan siya at sinabihang dadalhin pabalik ng Caraga,” it added.
The Inquirer sought comment from both the Caraga and the Cagayan de Oro about the incident. The police have yet to respond.