Moro rights leader held in US airport
ZAMBOANGA CITY – US authorities detained a Moro human rights activist at the San Francisco International Airport on Wednesday (Manila time) while waiting for his next flight to Washington D.C.
Jerome Aladdin Succor Aba of Suara Bangsamoro was to speak on human rights situation in the Philippines at a forum in Washington D.C., according to Terry Valen of the National Alliance for Filipino Concerns in a post on social media.
He was scheduled to speak at the 16th National Ecumenical Advocacy Days (EAD) for Global Peace with Justice in Washington D.C. scheduled on April 20-23.
Valen described Aba’s detention as “political blocking.”
Sandugo, a Moro and tribal organization that Aba co-chaired, had issued a letter demanding that the US government release him.
In a statement, Sandugo said Aba was with Joanna Cariño of the Cordillera Peoples Alliance (CPA) during the travel to Washington D.C.
“We seek help from peace advocates in the US to help us demand the US government to release Aba,” Sandugo added.
The International Coalition for Human Rights in the Philippines (ICHRP) US Chapter said Aba’s trip was upon invitation of several US church institutions, including the US Conference of Catholic Bishops, the Sisters of Mercy, and the General Board of Global Ministries.
