More than 140 civil society organizations, faith-based institutions, human rights groups, and community alliances have expressed solidarity with the urgent appeal to release detained woman human rights defender, Nanay Sally Ujano. The letter of appeal addressed to President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. was initiated by the Philippine Alliance of Human Rights Advocates (PAHRA) and the Free Nanay Sally Ujano movement.


“We thank all the organizations who supported the call to free Nanay Sally Ujano. We hope President Bongbong Marcos will notice us,” said Egay Cabalitan, Secretary-General of PAHRA.


Nanay Sally Ujano, a long-time advocate for the rights of women and children, was arrested in 2021 based on a trumped-up charge stemming from a decades-old case. Advocates argue that her arrest is part of a broader pattern of judicial harassment against human rights defenders in the Philippines. Recently, a gathering of human rights defenders was also held in Quezon City to reaffirm collective support for Nanay Sally’s release and to strengthen the call for the protection of all HRDs.


“We hope more organizations and individuals will join us. Mahaba-haba pa po ang laban para mapalaya si Nanay Sally, at hindi kami titigil hangga’t hindi nangyayari iyon,” Cabalitan added. “Kung kinakailangan po na sumulat pa kami sa international community, sa Santo Papa, o sa kahit na sino, ay gagawin namin basta’t lumaya lamang si Nanay Sally.”


The letter has been officially sent to key offices, including Malacañang, as part of efforts to ensure that Nanay Sally’s case is brought to the attention of the highest levels of government.