Good news for human-rights lawyer Remigio Saladero and 60 other activists who had been accused of a political murder in February this year.

On November 13, the Provincial Prosecution dropped the case due to "failure to establish probable cause". In a nine-page resolution, the Prosecutor also noted “serious inconsistencies” and “illogical basis of identification [of respondents]” in the sworn statements and affidavits of the complainant and witnesses “which cannot be ignored.”

The case is the latest in a string of similar murder accusations against groups of progressive activists. The Prosecutor's decision can be seen as a victory for the labour and human rights movement in the Philippines. This kind of accusations seem specifically designed to cripple the Philippine labour movement by putting activists behind bars, forcing them into hiding, and burdening their colleagues with organising a legal defense.

The latest accusations received international attention, and the solidarity actions taken on behalf of Mr. Saladero and his co-accused may have contributed to the Prosecutor's decision.

Mr. Saladero and 71 activists remain embroiled in another murder court case in appeal in another province.

For more background information and past CCC Urgent Actions on this case, please refer to: www.cleanclothes.org/urgent-actions/philippine-labour-rights-lawyer-faces-new-round-of-false-charges