Jonathan Frederic De Santos

Sally Ujano reunites with her family and supporters after the Court of Appeals acquits her of rebellion on March 23. Photo from Free Sally Ujano/Facebook 

Article (news)

Marilyn Cahatol

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1774677864759sally-ujano-edited.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Sally Ujano reunites with her family and supporters after the Court of Appeals acquits her of rebellion on March 23. Photo from Free Sally Ujano/Facebook </span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — More than four years after arrest, the Court of Appeals has acquitted women and child rights advocate Salome “Nanay Sally” Ujano of rebellion and ordered her immediate release.</p><p>Ujano was <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/11/15/21/child-rights-activist-sally-crisostomo-arrested">arrested</a> in November 2021 for her alleged involvement in an ambush on two military personnel in Quezon province in 2005 and for a rebellion charge filed in 2006.</p><p>At the time of the alleged crime, she was serving as executive director of a women’s rights group and actively promoting the protection of women against domestic violence, according to the Free Sally Ujano movement. </p><p>She was <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/5/16/human-rights-activist-hinatulan-ng-guilty-sa-kasong-rebellion-1813">convicted </a>of rebellion in 2024 by a Taguig regional trial court and sentenced to imprisonment from 10 years to 17 years and 4 months.</p><p>On March 23, the Court of Appeals overturned the decision, saying “the evidence presented fails to establish with the required moral certainty that Ujano and (her co-accused) were among those who participated in the alleged rebellion.” </p><p>The appeals court said the charge against her could not be proven “beyond reasonable doubt.”</p><p>Ujano, who has reunited with her family, expressed gratitude to lawyers, supporters and those part of the Free Sally Ujano movement who campaigned for her freedom. </p><p>“Finally, truth and justice prevailed. Miracles do happen,” she said.</p><p>Her son, Klaro, said the CA’s decision “affirms what we have long known—the accusations against our mother were baseless.”</p><p>He said his mother’s arrest brought emotional toll to the family, noting the burdens of red-tagging, uncertainty and imprisonment despite Ujano’s innocence. </p><p>“This acquittal restores not only her freedom, but also our faith that truth and justice can still prevail,” Klaro said.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>HARASSMENT OF HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS</strong></div><p>Ujano&#x27;s freedom has been welcomed by human rights advocates, including Amnesty International Philippines, which said &quot;her case demonstrates clear miscarriage of justice and the improper use of criminal proceedings based on trumped up charges against a human rights defender.&quot;</p><p>The group noted that the &quot;continuing pattern of harassment of human rights defenders, journalists, and development workers remains the biggest setback for activists, peoples’ organizations, and human rights groups to legitimately carry out their work.&quot;</p><p>The group also called for the release of community journalist Frenchie Mae Cumpio, who was <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/1/22/journalist-frenchie-cumpio-journalist-found-guilty-of-terror-financing-0943">convicted </a>of terror financing.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/2/17/tacloban-court-denies-bail-for-journalist-frenchie-cumpio-1437">Tacloban court denies bail for journalist Frenchie Cumpio</a></div><p>Amnesty International Philippines also called on government &quot;to cease any form of intimidation and harassment against HRDs, and ensure protection by renewing efforts to pass the Human Rights Defenders Protection Act&quot; and review implementation of the Anti-Terrorism Act as well as potential abuses in its use against citizens.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO:</strong></div><div style="text-align:center"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/iQROUDVmcdw?si=aYt3rFPWtBGD8Ee1" title="YouTube video player" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>

<p>More than four years after arrest, the Court of Appeals has acquitted women and child rights advocate Salome “Nanay Sally” Ujano of rebellion and ordered her immediate release.</p>

More than four years after arrest, the Court of Appeals has acquitted women and child rights advocate Salome “Nanay Sally” Ujano of rebellion and ordered her immediate release.

Child rights advocate Sally Ujano acquitted of rebellion

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Child rights advocate Sally Ujano acquitted of rebellion

Marilyn Cahatol,

ABS-CBN News

Published March 28, 2026 09:44 AM PHT

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Updated March 28, 2026 02:05 PM PHT

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