The Political Officers League of the Philippines (POLPhil), stands in solidarity with filmmaker Jade Castro and his companions who were arrested without a warrant.
Film director Jade Castro, together with his companions Ernesto Orcine, Noel Mariano, and Dominic Ramos, was taken into custody in Barangay Dahican, Catanauan, Quezon, on suspicion of setting a modernized jeepney on fire on January 31 in Barangay Dahican, Catanuan, Quezon. They remain in detention to this day.
Castro and his companions have refuted these accusations, claiming that they were in Mulanay at the time of the burning incident. The towns of Mulanay and Catanauan have a distance of 24.4 Km
POLPhil President Rudy “Kid” Cañeda said, “we demand Castro’s immediate release if there is no concrete proof to support his continuing arrest together with his companions.”
“We believe in the fundamental right to freedom of expression and due process, cornerstones of a just and open society,” Cañeda elaborates.
Direk Jade was in another town at the time, according to Mulanay, Quezon LGU authorities, and there is CCTV footage to support their claims. However, the PNP is adamant that the CCTV run by the local government is unreliable.
POLPhil urges the appropriate authorities to respect these principles and make sure that the allegations against Mr. Castro are thoroughly and fairly investigated.
POLPhil encourages open dialogue and peaceful discourse as essential tools for addressing societal issues. We believe that silencing voices, regardless of personal opinions, undermines the democratic values we strive to uphold.
We encourage others to join us in demanding #FreeDirekJadeCastro. We support individuals who fight for justice and openness. Cañeda asked, “Let’s work together to advance a society where diverse voices are heard, respected, and protected.”
The LGU officials of Mulanay, Quezon themselves said that Direk Jade was in the other town at the time, and there is a CCTV that proves that. But the PNP insists that the local government’s CCTV cannot be trusted.
Some of director Jade’s films are “Endo” in 2007 (Best Screenplay at Young Critics Circle), and “My Big Love” (2008), and “LSS (Last Song Syndrome)” (2019) where he won Best Director at the Philippine Film Festival