NUPL Demands Effective Implementation of Protective Writ for Cagayan Valley People’s Lawyer Amid Continuing Surveillance
Atty. Catherine Dannug-Salucon, NUPL Cagayan Valley Coordinator, and former NUPL National Officer, was subjected to surveillance in her Quezon City residence.
June 21, 2026
NUPL
The National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers is a nationwide voluntary association of human rights lawyers in the Philippines, committed to the defense, protection, and promotion of human rights, especially of the poor and the oppressed.

PRESS STATEMENT

Atty. Catherine Dannug-Salucon, NUPL Cagayan Valley Coordinator, and former NUPL National Officer, was subjected to surveillance in her Quezon City residence.

According to reports, a male person who identified himself as Fernando Gopilan tried to gain access to Atty. Dannug-Salucon’s condominium unit by pretending to be her nephew. A staff member of the condominium called Atty. Salucon’s daughter, who denied that he is a relative. Upon hearing this, Fernando Gopita left in a hurry.

Before this incident, Atty. Dannug-Salucon has been the subject of surveillance and harassment from suspected state agents. She sought protection by filing a Petition for Writ of Amparo and a Petition for Writ of Habeas Data with the Court of Appeals.

On March 12, 2015, the Court of Appeals issued the privilege of the Writ of Amparo in her favor. The Supreme Court affirmed the issuance of the Writ of Amparo in its decision dated January 24, 2018.

Despite the issuance of the Writ, Atty. Dannug-Salucon still experienced surveillance and harassment from suspected state agents.

In a Manifestation filed in March 2026, Atty. Dannug-Salucon reported to the Court of Appeals the information she received that a certain police officer in her hometown in Isabela was overheard boasting that he was assigned to conduct surveillance on Atty. Dannug-Salucon.

The constant and persistent surveillance on Atty. Dannug-Salucon is alarming. This may be a prelude to a physical attack, which may endanger her life and security.

It is about time to prove that the Writ of Amparo is indeed an effective remedy for the protection of life, liberty, and security. We are holding on to what the Supreme Court said in Bautista vs. Dannug-Salucon (G.R. No. 221862, January 23, 2018) that:

“Even so, it would be uncharacteristic for the courts, especially this Court, to simply fold their arms and ignore the palpable threats to her life, liberty, and security and just wait for the irreversible to happen to her.”

We hope that those required to give protection to Atty. Dannug-Salucon will not “simply fold their arms and ignore the palpable threats to her life, liberty, and security”, and act promptly and not “just wait for the irreversible to happen to her”.

#HandsOffAttyDannugSalucon

#StopAttacksAgainstLawyers

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