The group, arrested in Mabinay, Negros Oriental on March 3, 2018, had faced accusations including illegal possession of firearms and explosives. Human rights organizations have long condemned their case as fabricated, arguing the charges were used to silence dissent.

The six activists, John Paul Dela Cruz, Maria Elena Santos, Mark Anthony Reyes, Liza Joy Villanueva, Carlo Miguel Ramos, and Ana Patricia Gomez, were finally released from detention, closing a prolonged legal battle that rights advocates say reflects broader government efforts to criminalize activism.

The acquittal has been hailed as a victory not only for the detainees and their families but also for civil liberties. It comes amid ongoing calls for reform in how cases against activists are handled, especially those involving allegations of trumped-up charges, lack of credible evidence such as paraffin tests, and the need for full accountability in human rights practices.