Truth Wins: IP Advocate Cleared of False Charges

The Antipolo City Municipal Trial Court (MTC) officially discharged Niezel Velasco from the charges of Unjust Vexation and Maltreatment on July 31, 2025, affirming that she is not the same person as the accused, Mary Jane Velasco.

“We welcome this decision by the Antipolo MTC as yet another affirmation of Niezel’s innocence and a step closer to full justice,” said Beverly Longid, national convener of Katribu Kalipunan ng Katutubong Mamamayan ng Pilipinas. “Niezel is a victim of the systematic targeting of activists, where state forces file baseless cases under aliases and recycled warrants to silence human rights defenders.”

On July 16, 2021, Niezel Velasco and Julieta Gomez were illegally arrested in a joint police-military operation in Quezon City. Both were falsely accused of murder, attempted murder, and illegal possession of firearms and explosives, charges that are fabricated to stifle their human rights work with Lumad communities. They spent nearly four years in jail, unable to reunite with their families and communities.

On April 8, 2025, the Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 91 cleared them of all charges due to lack of evidence and obvious inconsistencies from the prosecution. However, Niezel’s legal battle did not end with her acquittal. She was rearrested and faced additional false charges — this time of estafa, unjust vexation, and maltreatment — under the name “Mary Jane Velasco.”

The Quezon City MeTC Branch 34 dismissed the estafa case on July 3, 2025. Finally, on July 31, the Antipolo MTCC Branch 1 discharged Niezel from charges of unjust vexation and maltreatment, finding that Niezel “is not the same Mary Jane Someja a.k.a. Mary Jane Velasco, the accused in these cases.”

The court recognized documentary evidence and consistent assertions proving that Niezel and Mary Jane are two distinct individuals. While the case itself has not been dismissed and remains archived pending the apprehension of the real accused, Mary Jane Someja a.k.a. Mary Jane Velasco, Niezel is now officially cleared.

“This pattern of filing baseless and mistaken identity cases against activists must stop,” said Longid. “We demand accountability for those responsible for weaponizing the law against human rights defenders. The years stolen from Niezel and Julieta, years of freedom, family, and service, cannot be given back, but we can ensure that these injustices do not continue.” ###