But while Ceeka’s condition remains stable, her family said that military personnel continue to make repeated attempts to approach her inside detention.
LAGUNA – More than two months into the detention of political prisoner Charlize “Ceeka” Garzon, her family and supporters revealed that state security forces continue to subject her and those close to her to psychological pressure and harassment even as her case is now before the court.
Mayi Garzon, mother of the detained artist-activist, said Ceeka has gradually adjusted to life inside the jail with the support of fellow political prisoners she fondly calls her “prison mothers.”
“She is doing well despite nearly two months of detention. She has adjusted to her situation and continues to learn from the women political prisoners who look after her,” Mayi said in an interview with Bulatlat.
But while Ceeka’s condition remains stable, her family said that military personnel continue to make repeated attempts to approach her inside detention.
According to Mayi, one visitor introduced herself as “Lt. Louise del Campo,” claiming that Ceeka already knew her because she had supposedly helped the Garzon family travel to Mindoro. Unable to recognize her, Garzon asked for proof and was allegedly shown a photograph of herself with Lt. Vina del Campo reportedly taken inside the San Jose Police Station.
Mayi said another individual later attempted to interview Ceeka while claiming to be a private citizen, but Ceeka refused to engage.
The family believes these encounters form part of a broader campaign of intimidation.
“The case is already before the court, and we have entrusted all legal matters to our lawyers from the Free Legal Assistance Group,” she said.
Ceeka has been charged with illegal possession of explosives, attempted murder, frustrated murder, and murder.
“We expected harassment and attempts to demoralize Garzon, our family, and her supporters,” Mayi said, adding that her daughter recalled an officer telling her during a previous encounter, “This will not be the last time we see each other.”
She further said that those approaching Ceeka asked about her condition, emphasized the difficulties of detention and the length and cost of legal proceedings, before encouraging her to sign an amnesty application, and identify alleged members of the New People’s Army (NPA).
The Release Our Ceeka Network condemned what it described as an intensifying “black propaganda and psychological warfare” campaign against Ceeka, who remains detained while facing what supporters described as fabricated criminal charges.
The network accused state security forces of committing a series of human rights violations, including alleged torture and interrogation without counsel during police custody, attempts to pressure her family into signing a supposed surrender document, repeated visits to her detention facility under false pretenses, and the continuous red-tagging of Garzon, her relatives, and youth organizations associated with her.
Supporters also alleged that fabricated materials portraying Garzon as an armed combatant have been circulated online and through mainstream media as part of efforts to influence public opinion while her case remains pending before the courts.
Human rights advocates have long warned that psychological pressure, coercive interrogations, and sustained red-tagging campaigns against activists and political prisoners create an atmosphere of fear while undermining due process and fundamental civil liberties.
The Release Our Ceeka Network renewed its call for the immediate release of Ceeka, the dismissal of what it described as fabricated charges against her, an investigation into allegations of torture and harassment by state forces, and the freedom of all political prisoners in the country. (AMU, RVO)
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