On Aug. 13, Lisa and Nilo Enrile, the parents of Prof. Enrile met with Consul General Mary Jo Bernardo Aragon and Consul Noemi Diaz. They were accompanied by Maureen Ivy Quicho, GABNet Coordinator for Los Angeles.

They were assured by Aragon that they will be informed of development from Manila.

Annalisa’s parents expressed disappointment that the US embassy in Manila did not help her because they said it was a local matter. Instead, Annalisa was given a list of lawyers to contact in Manila.

“My daughter is not a criminal,” Mr. Enrile told Mrs. Aragon. “My daughter is a humanitarian. She always fights for the poor and for causes like human trafficking and domestic violence.”

“It’s clear that the Philippine government, led by Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, is desperately trying to intimidate and silence international solidarity," GABNet Secretary Doris Mendoza said, “especially those focusing on the countless human rights violations and political killings. But our membership and allies are now even more determined.

For us, the harassment of the GABNet 3 reconfirms the undemocratic and unjust character of this US-backed Macapagal Arroyo regime" the GABNet prepared statement said.

On Aug. 14, Doy Heredia of National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA) called Philippine embassy Deputy Chief of Mission King Sorreta to ask why Prof. Enrile and two other activists - writer-journalist Ninotchka Rosca and American human rights activist Judith Mirkinson - were prevented from leaving Manila allegedly because they were on the “watchlist.”

Heredia said that up to Aug. 17, he did not receive any response from the embassy or from Sorreta. Jon Melegrito said NaFFAA will release an “appropriate statement” if the three are still being prevented from returning to the US.

Reme Grefalda, editor of Ezine, an internet magazine, has contacted other leaders and the media to comment and write about this issue. In her email to other leaders, Reme said: “Who is safe from this type of intimidation. It can happen to one of us anytime.” Maurese Owens of the Philippine American Foundation for Charities (PAFC) expressed her “outrage” over this incident. Their virtual detention has also infuriated hundreds of human rights activists in the US, Canada and around the world. They accused the Philippine government of harassment, illegal detention and intimidation.

Sonny San Juan, well known author, said from his home in Connecticut: “I found myself being afraid, very much afraid - for myself and other expatriate Filipinos who are not exactly admirers of the winsome ways of this administration.

“And who would not be, if you, on your return to the beloved Inang Bayan for a short vacation from work in some foreign country, find yourself in the predicament of Dr. Annalisa Enrile?"

So whatever happened to the right to travel that is supposed to be the primogeniture of the world-famous OFW, whose obsession with that “extra dollar” has impelled his wanderlust to toil in the harsh deserts of the Middle East, and other alien places all over the globe? It is all too clear that no one can be prevented from leaving the country, unless one has committed a crime and charges have been filed before the courts. I’ve got news for all OFWs: Under the HSA, you can be held on mere suspicion or association with groups openly critical of the government.

Surprisingly, not many of the Manila media published her story although she held a press conference.

Copies of the letter of Annalisa to Ambassador Kenney have been distributed widely to leaders in the United States and Canada. She was part of an international group that met in Manila to take up the issue of human rights violations in the Philippines.

In her letter to Ambassador Kenney, Annalisa asked for the embassy’s assistance “because the Philippine government is refusing to let me return to the United States even though I know of no charges or cases against my person.”

“Furthermore, I have been and am being shuffled from the Department of Justice to the Bureau of Immigration to some office called NICA.

Since August 5, 2007 when I was stopped from boarding my flight home, I have not been told any specific reason as to why I am being prevented from returning to my home country.

“My human and civil rights are being violated by this surrealist procedure dictated by some unknown entity/person. This is causing me extreme distress, as well as jeopardizing my professional standing and causing me financial hardship.

“As I have not made provisions to stay in the Philippines beyond August 5, I am practically a homeless person, dependent on the good will of friends for my board and lodging.

“I am of mind to sue whoever gave the ”hold" order for actual and punitive damages, which are accumulating daily. It would be good if the Embassy can help me find out the basis for this hold order and its veracity, as well as its origins so that I may seek justice."

Party list congresswomen said this may be part of the government’s enforcement of the anti-terrorism Human Security Act which allows security agencies to hold anyone on suspicion of being a terrorist.

In a press conference Aug. 11 in Quezon City, Enrile said she believes she is being held because of her involvement with GABRIELA and for being part of a team that went to the country to probe the human rights record of the Arroyo administration.

“I’m being held hostage,” Enrile told the media. “I cannot go back to my work and my family."