Courts convicted six human rights defenders in Palawan for illegal possession of explosives and explosive devices and rebellion in recent weeks. According to the human rights group, the reclusion perpetua or life imprisonment sentence is unjust and a deliberate miscarriage of justice.

The activists, part of the Palawan 7, were arrested on October 4, 2019, at a checkpoint in Sitio Anilawan, Barangay Babuyan, Puerto Princesa City. The seven arrested were KASAMA-Timog Katagalugan organizer Antonio Molina; indigenous Palaw’ans Bener Rimbunan and Awing Lumpat; former Karapatan-ST secretary general Glendhyl Malabanan; Karapatan-ST staff members Ronces Paraguso and Jenny Bautista; and Pamalakaya-Palawan organizer Joemelito Tanilon. Molina died of a heart attack in detention in November 2021.

The Palawan 6 are planning to appeal their case. Human rights groups also call for the dismissal of other charges filed against the victims and their immediate release.