MANILA, Philippines — Peasant leader and land defender Joseph Canlas has passed away after contracting COVID-19 while under detention for charges his fellow activists said were fabricated. Canlas, 59, passed away Tuesday morning due to complications of COVID-19, peasant groups said. Canlas, vice chairperson of Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP), was among those arrested in simultaneous police operations on March 30. He was arrested at the same time that Pol Viuya, Kilusang Mayo Uno vice chairperson for Central Luzon, was apprehended in Tarlac. KMP said the peasant leader, who is hypertensive and diabetic, was in stable physical condition before he was arrested.

Source: Philippine Star May 11, 2021 02:48 UTC