Freeing the Mabinay 6

After being detained in jail since 2018, the Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 42 in Dumaguete needed only less than 20 minutes to acquit the group Mabinay 6 charges of alleged possession of firearms and explosives in a supposed conflict with military forces.

Presiding judge Marie Rose G. Inocando-Paras ruled that there was no proof of an armed encounter and there was no proper handling of evidence pertaining to the criminal charges.

Journalist Myles Albasin and Jomar Garlet, Carlo Ybañez, Randel Hermino Balasabas, Joey Vailoces, and Bernard Embalsado were released on the day of the ruling.

Under former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, there was an increase of red-tagging (labeling political opponents as "communist rebels" without evidence) against human rights activists, lawyers, clergy, journalists, and other targeted groups.

When someone is red-tagged, they are vulnerable to harassment, abduction, arrest, or murder.

Red tagging has continued with current Philippine President Bongbong Marcos, with at least 16 activists and journalists victims of enforced disappearances during Marcos's presidency.

Several individuals remain in jail without trial.

Here is a youtube video of my process for creating this cartoon
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WWsZF9unvQA

REFERENCES
"Mabinay 6 freed after 7 years in unjust detention" by Maverick Avila for Bulatlat
https://www.bulatlat.com/2025/09/26/mabinay-6-freed-after-7-years-in-un…
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"Mother’s love transcends repressive prison walls" by Maverick Avila for Bulatlat
https://www.bulatlat.com/2025/03/05/mothers-love-transcends-repressive-…

"Rappler Talk: The long road to justice for the ‘Mabinay 6’" a conversation with Rappler reporter Herbie Gomez, Myles Albasin and her mother Grace and lawyer Carlos Isagani Zarate
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fCUOTrcV_zQ

"Mabinay 6 now with kin after court acquittal" by Kay Brier for The Philippines Daily Inquirer
https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2114205/mabinay-6-now-with-kin-after-cour…

"Mabinay 6 acquitted: Dumaguete court clears group after 7 years in jail" by Morexette Marie B. Erram for Cebu Daily News
https://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/658711/court-acquits-mabinay-6