May 12, 2012 News: Thirty participants from all over Mindanao, who converged in the Human Rights Defenders Forum for a human rights education and training at the Villa Margarita Hotel, Davao on May 11, reportedly agreed to launch fund-drive for the bail of human rights advocate Cocoy “Temogen” Tulawie, who is behind bars on various cases filed against him by Sulu Governor Abdulsakur Tan.

The participants were all human rights defenders coming from Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao, Davao, Soccsksargen, and Autonomous Region for Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

Mussah Sherian Tulawie, the wife of Cocoy Tulawie, along with members of human rights groups, launched a campaign to raise funds to help her husband post bail for various cases filed against him before the Regional Trial Court (RTC) in Davao City.

In an interview, Mussah Sherian Tulawie said they are preparing for the application for bail to temporarily release Temogen from detention, pending final resolution of his cases.

She asked participants in Friday’s Human Rights Defenders' Forum at Villa Margarita Hotel to at least donate any amount to raise the fund for Tulawie’s bail.

Tulawie, tagged in May 2009 bombing in Patikul, Sulu, was charged with multiple frustrated murder and attempted murder and illegal possession of explosives.

Mussah said his husband's bail is P600,000 for the two cases.

"Isasalang na ng mga lawyers namin so kailangan mag prepare na kami for the bail," she told reporters in Davao City.

"An amount that you can give will go a long way not only for the temporary liberty of Cocoy (Temogen), but also for the collective struggle for freedom and justice for the Bangsamoro people," she said.

Earlier, Tulawie, through counsels, asked the SC for the transfer of venue from RTC Sulu to RTC Davao to have a fair trial.
After the SC ruled for the transfer of venue, the RTC Sulu forwarded the case records to RTC Davao on January 31.
The RTC Davao received the records on February 29.

The RTC Branch 11 is yet to schedule the arraignment of Tulawie to answer the charges filed against him.
Cocoy is detained in Davao City jail for 117 days already.