‘Dismiss sedition raps vs youth leaders’

MANILA, Philippines — Party-list group Kabataan yesterday sought the dismissal of sedition charges filed by police against youth leaders in connection with the Sept. 21 anti-corruption protest in Manila last year.

“What is the gain of national security in the filing of cases against a campus journalist, a rapper and student council officers who covered and simply joined the protest against corruption?” Kabataan party-list Rep. Renee Louise Co said.

“People’s money was stolen and wasted in trumped-up charges against the youth,” Co added.

State officials, public works engineers and contractors have been implicated in anomalous flood control deals and kickbacks.

Bayan president Renato Reyes has filed his counter-affidavit challenging the sedition complaint filed against him before the Department of Justice.

Kristina Conti, lawyer for Reyes, said the complaint against her client and 35 others has been submitted for resolution.