Family Demands Release of Fil-Am Organizer as Philippine Army Alleges NPA Links

ICHRP Photo

The family of Filipino-American organizer Christina Pasion is demanding her immediate release after she was apprehended during a joint military, police and immigration operation in Cabuyao City, Laguna, on July 30.

In an open letter released with the assistance of the International Coalition for Human Rights in the Philippines–United States, or ICHRP-US, Pasion’s wife, mother and brother said she was receiving medical treatment when Philippine security forces entered the residence where she was staying in Barangay San Isidro.

Pasion was arrested alongside Indigenous community organizer Binay Serrano.

The family said Pasion’s detention followed months of what it described as a red-tagging campaign intended to portray her as a member or supporter of an armed communist group.

“These baseless accusations and ongoing detainment serve only to threaten Christina’s life,” the family said, calling for her rights and safety to be protected and for her to be allowed to continue her medical treatment at home.

The Philippine Army, however, presented a different account of the operation.

According to the Army’s 2nd Infantry Division, government forces were serving a court-issued arrest warrant against Serrano, also known as “Samay,” who authorities identified as an alleged medical and logistics officer of a New People’s Army unit operating in Southern Tagalog.

The Army said Serrano is facing a murder charge under Criminal Case No. R25-12586. Pasion was found with Serrano during the operation and was subsequently turned over to the Bureau of Immigration.

Military officials alleged that Pasion had previously been seen with Filipino-American Chantal Anicoche and suspected NPA members in Mindoro beginning in December 2025.

The Army also alleged that handwritten entries recovered from a notebook at a separate encounter site indicated that Pasion had remained with the armed group following clashes in San Jose, Occidental Mindoro, on March 24 and March 29.

The military has not publicly presented the notebook or other evidence supporting the allegations for independent examination.

Maj. Gen. Ramon Zagala, commander of the 2nd Infantry Division, claimed that Pasion’s case showed how the Communist Party of the Philippines, NPA and National Democratic Front allegedly use international networks to recruit young people outside the country.

Zagala said the operation was part of the government’s continuing campaign against remaining communist insurgent groups in Southern Tagalog.

The Bureau of Immigration separately reported apprehending a 27-year-old American identified only as “Kristy” for allegedly remaining in the Philippines beyond her authorized stay. The bureau said her last approved visa extension expired in January 2026 and that deportation proceedings would be initiated at its main office in Manila.

Pasion’s family rejected the government’s portrayal of her, describing her as a longtime community advocate who returned to the Philippines to live and work alongside farmers, Indigenous peoples and other rural communities.

“Those who are detaining an unarmed woman seeking medical treatments are the real danger to society,” Pasion’s wife, Vivian, said in the letter.

The family also raised concerns about Serrano’s whereabouts following the operation. Human rights organizations said lawyers and paralegals were able to meet Pasion but were initially unable to locate Serrano or obtain confirmation of where she was being held.

Karapatan Southern Tagalog disputed the Army’s allegations, saying Pasion and Serrano are civilian organizers working with farmers and Indigenous communities. The organization called for an independent investigation and demanded that authorities disclose Serrano’s location.

Pasion’s family appealed for her immediate release and urged authorities to guarantee her safety and access to medical care.

“To Christina: We love you and are so proud of your selflessness and compassion for others,” the family said. “Stay strong and know that you are in our thoughts always.”

The family spells her first name “Christina,” while Philippine government reports identify her as “Cristina.” The allegations linking Pasion and Serrano to the NPA have not been proven in court.