Aiza Seguerra and Liza Diño raise bail money for arrested Kidapawan farmers

Filipino celebrity couple Aiza Seguerra and Liza Diño have successfully raised funds for the bail money of the jailed farmers who got detained after the bloody dispersal in Kidapawan City, North Cotabato last April 1, 2016.

There was a total of 79 farmers (mostly from North Cotabato) who were detained after the tragic and violent outcome of the Kidapawan protest which resulted in the deaths of two farmers and injuries from both sides of the encounter. The jailed individuals included six elderly citizens (60-year old Dionisio Alagos; 65-year old Lolita Porras; 66-year old Gerardo Pequero; 68-year old Jovita Debalid; 72-year old Crisanto Carlum; and 78-year old Valentina Berden) and three pregnant women (22-year old Eliza Candiban – five months pregnant; 25-year old Arlene Candiban – six months pregnant; and 34-year old Rolinda Paonil – two months pregnant) who all face criminal charges.

The Municipal Trial Court in Kidapawan City led by Judge Rebecca De Leon reduced the bail from P12,000 to P6,000 last Wednesday (April 13, 2016) for the 79 protesters arrested during the rally that ended in a bloody dispersal.

Aiza and Liza are some of the few local celebrities who have extended their help for the detained Kidapawan protesters. Liza shared her gratitude and updates about the funds they raised for the bail bonds of the farmers.

Here is Liza’s post in full:

“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.

“THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR HELP!

“We visited the detainees earlier. They pass their wholehearted gratitude for the support that we are giving them and our concerns. This is already a big thing for them, to know that they are not alone in this fight.

“Next step is to process their release. Earlier, almost everyone had no Identification with them as they were either burned or confiscated during the rally, so there would probably a little delay regarding their release, but the lawyers are expediting the process of the documents for their immediate release.

“This is only the beginning. We still have a long journey ahead. The goal is for all these charges to be dropped and for the case to be dismissed— All the praises for our human rights lawyers from different groups like Union of Peoples Lawyers from Mindanao (Davao), KARAPATAN, Nat’l Union of People’s Lawyers, and many colunteers who gave their services to help our farmers. We shouldn’t let go. Let’s continually show our support for their fight for JUSTICE.”

Aiza and Liza ‘s efforts to raise funds to bail out the Kidapawan farmers were first featured in an Inquirer article which immediately went viral on social media. Liza shared her gratitude towards the publication and the people who helped them.

Here is Liza’s post in full:

“THANK YOU PHILIPPINE DAILY INQUIRER.

“More than us, I would like to thanks all the celebrities and friends in the industry who pitched in to help. It is a big thing that you showed your concern to bail out our farmers.

“MORE POWER TO YOU!

“Update: 26 out 77, are going to be released today. For the rest of them, their papers are still being processed in order for them to get their IDs.”