Indigenous Peoples (IP) rights defender, Niezel Velasco, and Manobo activist, Julieta Gomez, filed a motion for consideration after the Ombudsman dismissed on Monday, October 12,  the countercharges they filed against the Philippine National Police (PNP) officers involved in their illegal arrest.

Read: Detained for nearly 4 years over false charges, rights defenders file countercharges vs police

Velasco and Gomez challenged the decision, asserting that this action is a major step toward defending their rights and holding state forces accountable for the human rights violations committed not only against them but also against IP communities facing harassment and intimidation by state forces. 

“The dismissal of the countercharges against the police is unacceptable and unjust. We were imprisoned for almost four years, and now they will just let the perpetrators who violated our rights go free? This office [Ombudsman] is useless,” Velasco said in a statement.

On June 25, the Ombudsman dismissed the countercharges of Velasco and Gomez, claiming that the case has no prima facie evidence or an initial proof that reached minimum legal threshold that would support their claim. The office also called the charges “self-serving.” 

In the filed motion, they said that Velasco’s arrest is not valid as the name written in the arrest warrant is for “Mary Jane Velasco.” They also proved that the firearms and explosives were planted.

The filed countercharges against P/Smsgt. Jehrome D. Chico, P/Cpl. John Ronoel J. Conde, Pat. Julius Edward L. Mahinay, Pat. Mary Grail A. Waclin, and Pat. Magdalena D. Lipata are False Testimony Against a Defendant, False Testimony in Other Cases and Perjury in Solemn Affirmation, Unlawful Arrest, and Liability for Planting of Evidence.    

Aside from criminal charges, the police are also facing administrative charges of Conduct Prejudicial to the Best Interest of Service, Grave Abuse of Authority, Grave Misconduct, and Oppression.

Velasco said that the police officers should be imprisoned for the violations they did “to know what it feels like to be jailed.”

The case stemmed from the illegal arrest of Gomez and Velasco on murder, attempted murder, and illegal possession of firearms and explosives on July 16, 2021. It was dismissed on April 8, 2025 by the Quezon City Regional Trial Court.

Read: A step closer to full justice: Indigenous people rights defender acquitted of charges

Under the Marcos Jr. administration, Karapatan said that there are 757 total political prisoners as of 2026. Most of the cases bear the same pattern that both of them experienced.

Of the 757 total political prisoners, 150 arrests happened under the present administration.

IP group Katribu Kalipunan ng Katutubong Mamamayan ng Pilipinas (Katribu) condemned the dismissal of countercharges, stressing that this action only worsens the culture of impunity. 

“The decision of the Ombudsman shows the lack of accountability from the state who continuously violates human rights. In the experience of IP and activists, the planting of evidence and trumped-up charges are used for a long time to suppress their demand to defend ancestral land and self-determination,” Katribu said.

Velasco said that activists are being easily jailed while the police along with other state forces are not being held accountable for the crimes they commit. “The Office of the Ombudsman only shows that they are the true protector of criminals who are police and military,” Velasco said.   (AMU, RTS, DAA)