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Cagayan Valley leaders, activists falsely charged with kidnapping and homicide

ICHRP Secretariat
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Cagayan Valley leaders, activists falsely charged with kidnapping and homicide

Appeal for Action

Dear Friends,

Pease join us in our call to stop the criminalization of human rights work, a tactic that the BS Aquino regime has repeatedly used against activists and leaders of progressive people’s organizations.

The same tyrannical act the BS Aquino regime used in Mindanao, among leaders of people’s organizations in Davao City and General Santos City, is now used against the 69 leaders and activists in the Cagayan Valley region in an attempt to suppress the people’s voice against the rising cases of military abuses in the region.

The filing of trumped-up criminal charges was used during Arroyo’s Oplan Bantay Laya through the Inter-agency Legal Action Group (IALAG). Years since the IALAG was abolished, the practice continues under Aquino’s Oplan Bayanihan. Aquino is using the same legal offensive against those who expose the abuses of State security forces.

Charges vs activists and leaders of people’s organizations

In July 2015,  29 individuals, mostly from the Aggay and Malaweg tribes, were charged with three counts of kidnapping with homicide merely based on the suspicion that they are members/supporters of the New People’s Army. Sgt. Arsenio Villar Capili of the 17th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army (IBPA) accused the 29 of kidnapping and killing two army intelligence agents and a member of the Citizen Armed Force Geographical Unit (CAFGU) on February 25, 2015.

Three of the 29 individuals were abducted on July 20, 2015 by elements of the 17th IB-PA. Marlon Baganay, Mendo Bisiotan and Lando Daryuin were surfaced three days later, on July 23, at a military camp in Lasam, Cagayan Valley. The 70-year old Daryuin is partially blind. Currently, they are detained at the Cagayan Provincial Jail.

On September 21, Romella Liquigan, regional coordinator of Karapatan-Cagayan Valley, reported that when they filed the counter-affidavits of seven of the 29 persons charged at the Tuguegarao prosecutor’s office, they learned that 40 more individuals were falsely charged in the same case. Liquigan was among them.

Aside from Liquigan, included in the 40 individuals who were charged of the same crime were: Isabelo Adviento, chairperson of Kagimungan peasant organization and Anakpawis partylist nominee; Femie Galapon, chairperson of National Union of Students in the Philippine-Cagayan Valley and convenor of Rise for Education alliance; Randy Malayao, convenor of Bayan Cagayan Valley and Makabayan vice president for Luzon; and, Agnes Mesina, regional coordinator of Save the Valley network and the Rural Missionaries of the Philippines.

A number of the accused are unknown to the leaders of people’s organizations, while some were participants in the two fact-finding missions held in the town of Rizal in Zinundangan Valley. Elements of the 17th IB-PA under the 5th Infantry Division have been conducting military operations in the communities since February 2015.

The operations resulted in abuses and human rights violations such as extrajudicial killing, torture, abduction and illegal detention, illegal searches, encampment in barangay halls, health centers and civilian houses. The indigenous groups of Aggay, Malaweg, and Kalinga are among the most affected by the military operations.

Prior to the filing of charges against the leaders and activists in Cagayan Valley, participants of the the two fact-finding missions conducted in Rizal town already experienced military harassment as they were blocked by members of the Cagayan Provincial Public Safety Company, 3rd Manuever Platoon. The men took pictures of the vehicles used by the mission participants.

Abducted member of Aggay tribe

On October 1, Mennong Danao (earlier reported as Lenor Danao), an Aggay, was abducted by about 25 elements of the 17th IB-PA in the presence of his family. The soldiers brought Danao with them, after they illegally searched his hut. A few minutes later, the soldiers claimed they found a rifle outside Danao’s hut.

Danao was found on October 3, in the custody of the Philippine National Police-Rizal, Cagayan after he was turned over by the military. He now faces charges for violation of RA 10591 or illegal possession of firearms and ammunition.

Danao  was with his wife and three children when he abducted.

The regime has been filing false charges against members of progressive organizations in an attempt to silence opposition and prevent them from amplifying the people’s demand for justice amid intensifying human rights violations in the country.

Recommended Action:

Send letters, emails or fax messages to call on Pres. Benigno Aquino to:

  1. Withdraw the false charges against the 69 leaders and activists of people’s organizations in Cagayan Valley.
  2. Immediately pull out the 17th Infantry Battalion in the Zinundungan Valley.
  3. Form an independent investigative body composed of representatives of human rights groups, churches, local government, and the Commission on Human Rights that will look into the series of human rights violations in Zinundungan Valley due to military operations.
  4. Withdraw its counterinsurgency program Oplan Bayanihan, which victimizes innocent and unarmed civilians.
  5. Respect and observe the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and all other human rights instruments that it is signatory to.

You may send your communication to:

H.E. Benigno C. Aquino III
President of the Republic
Malacañang Palace,
JP Laurel St., San Miguel
Manila Philippines
Voice: (+632) 564 1451 to 80
Fax: (+632) 742-1641 / 929-3968
E-mail: op@president.gov.ph

Sec. Teresita Quintos-Deles
Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process
Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP)
7th Floor Agustin Building I
Emerald Avenue
Pasig City 1605
Voice:+63 (2) 636 0701 to 066
Fax:+63 (2) 638 2216
stqd.papp@opapp.gov.ph

Ret. Lt. Gen. Voltaire T. Gazmin
Secretary, Department of National Defense
Room 301 DND Building, Camp Emilio Aguinaldo,
Epifanio de los Santos Avenue, Quezon City
Voice:+63(2) 911-6193 / 911-0488 / 982-5600
Fax:+63(2) 982-5600
Email: osnd@philonline.com, dnd.opla@gmail.com

Atty. Leila De Lima
Secretary, Department of Justice
Padre Faura St., Manila
Direct Line 521-1908
Trunkline  523-84-81 loc.211/214
Fax: (+632) 523-9548
Email:  lmdelima@doj.gov.ph, lmdelima.doj@gmail.com
lmdelima.doj@gmail.com

Hon. Jose Luis Martin Gascon
Chairperson, Commission on Human Rights
SAAC Bldg., UP Complex
Commonwealth Avenue
Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines
Voice: (+632) 928-5655, (+632) 926-6188
Fax: (+632) 929 0102
E-mail: comsec@chr.gov.ph

Please send us a copy of your email/mail/fax to the above-named government officials, to our address below.

URGENT ACTION Prepared by:
KARAPATAN Alliance for the Advancement of People’s Rights
National Office
2/F Erythrina Building
#1 Maaralin cor Matatag Streets
Brgy. Central, Diliman
Quezon City 1100 PHILIPPINES
Voice/Fax: (+632) 435 4146
Email: urgentaction@karapatan.org
Website: www.karapatan.org

40 days of Injustice

ICHRP Secretariat
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40 days of Injustice

Maluhutayong Pakigbisog Alansa sa Sumusunod (MAPASO)
KASALO

Immediately arrest and bring to trial the armed bandit criminals who killed Dionel Campos, Emerito Samarca and Datu Juvello Sinzo!

Disarm and disband the armed bandit group of Bocales-Belandres-Egua and others!

We hold units of the AFP accountable, especially the 401st Infantry Brigade that established, armed and continues to use the armed bandits!

It is the 40th day since the September 1, 2015 brutal killing of MAPASU Chairman Dionel Campos, Kiwagan Datu Juvello Sinzo and ALCADEV Executive Director Emerito “Sir Tatay Emok” Samarca. Despite countless opportunities to arrest the masterminds and executioners of the killings and continuing threats against the evacuees from MAPASU areas in Lianga, San Agustin, Marihatag and San Miguel, not a single one has been arrested. The truth about the killings and forcible evacuation has been clear since the first week of the incident yet in the delay, many lies have been forcefully fed to the public to justify the systematic military operation against Lumad schools, progressive organizations and communities in Surigao del Sur and other parts of Mindanao.

The incident within the school compound of ALCADEV when Sir Tatay Emok was killed, is a military attack using the armed bandit groups under the command of the 75th IBPA. It was a direct military attack using bandit criminals Bobby Tejero, Loloy Tejero, Garito Layno and 25 other armed bandits when they killed Dionel Campos and Datu Juvello Sinzo. These crimes were planned and systematic killings to instill fear, silence and drive out communities and schools from Brgy. Diatagon that, for a long time, prevented the entry of private businesses salivating at the timber and mineral resources in these mountains. The interest of the bandit groups of Marcos Bocales-Marcial Belandres- Calpet Egua is clearly to claim the right to the ancestral land, to sell this to any business that would give them money, control over the communities and limitless luxury. In exchange for the resources in ancestral lands are the future of the Lumad communities and the rights of all the residents, Lumad or lowlander, who live on the land that they want to claim, to clear and to sell to the biggest capitalists to approach them.

The truth of the events in Lianga and other parts of Surigao del Sur is clear. It is also clear that the criminals who committed the crimes have powerful backers. During the Senate hearing last October 1- 2 of the Committee on Justice and Human Rights with the Committee on Cultural Communities attended by Sen. Teofisto Guingona III and Sen. Aquilino Pimentel III in Tandag City, it was clear that the AFP itself set up, armed and accompanied the armed bandit groups of Bocales-BelandresEgua, including the bandit group of Hasmin Acevedo in San Miguel. Not only the direct victims but even church people and officials of the government in Surigao del Sur attested to this. In the statements of the military, strong allegations that the communities, schools, organizations and even the victims were NPA supporters, were made, rationalizing their being target of operations. They concocted these allegations to justify their attacks against civilians and the schools. The statement of Senator Guingona was clear: ideology is not a basis for summarily killing, driving out or threatening any person. The perpetrators of the killings and many other crimes were identified but the military made itself inutile as this was part of their tactics and plan.

Proof of military backing of the bandit criminals is the continuing media sortie of Marcial Belandres and his companion leader of the ALAMARA in Manila. He continues to make noise there while the evidence and testimonies of his criminal deeds in Barobo, Lianga, San Agustin, Marihatag and San Miguel and as the florid lies he is feeding the media are building up here. His guard and manager there is the AFP, escorting him back and forth to the airplane and gathering anyone willing to listen to his fabricated stories.

Focused military operations and test missions of the Special Forces continue in the mountain areas near communities who were forced to evacuate and armed paramilitary forces continue to accompany them. More daring threats are being made against the communities that remained in nearby areas resulting to the evacuation of another 175 families/954 individuals from 3 communities to the Marihatag Gym. News of more destruction and burning of houses, property and farms left by the evacuees have reached them.

As the delay in enforcing the law and arrest of the perpetrators continue, more destruction is being wrought by the military operation and test mission. The warrants of arrest have been issued against the criminals involved in the Lianga massacre for the crimes of multiple murder, arson, robbery, grave coercion and grave threat that were filed in court, but none have been arrested.

It is 40 days yet the criminals Loloy Tejero, Garito Layno, Bobby Tejero and their armed cohorts are still freely roaming the communities. Marcial Belandres, who is one of their leaders, is freely cavorting with his military escorts in Manila. Marcos Bocales, Calpet Egua, Hasmin Acevedo and their band are holed up in military camps, some of them joining military operations in the mountains, while the loved ones of those they have killed continue to grieve and the communities that they continue to threaten continue to suffer in the evacuation center.

In other parts of Caraga, Lito Abion, a Lumad-Manobo and member of Tagdumahan, was shot dead in San Luis, Agusan del Sur by men believed to be military assets last September 28, 2015 and elements of the Regional Public Safety Management Battalion (RPSMB) of the PNP shot Jupiter Pacquiao, a farmer, in the mountains of Alegria, Surigao del Norte on October 6, 2015. The military alleged them to be NPA
to justify both shootings.

How long will our suffering people wait for justice?

STOP THE TEST MISSION OF THE 75TH IB, 36TH IB AND SPECIAL FORCES IN THE MOUNTAINS OF SURIGAO DEL SUR!
STOP THE BRUTAL OPLAN BAYANIHAN!
#STOP LUMAD KILLINGS!

40 days since Lianga Massacre, murderers still sow terror

ICHRP Secretariat
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40 days since Lianga Massacre, murderers still sow terror

“Forty (40) days after the Lianga Massacre, AFP-backed leaders of paramilitary groups Bobby and Jojo Tejero are still sowing terror, and attacks against the Lumad continue. The warrant of arrest against the murderers has yet to be served, and the indigenous communities that forcibly evacuated from their communities have not gone back to their homes because of continuing military operations,” Karapatan Secretary General Cristina Palabay said.

Bobby and Jojo Tejero, members of paramilitary group Magahat-Bagani are among those identified by residents of Han-ayan and Km. 16 as the killers of Lumad leaders Dionel Campos and Juvello Sinzo. The Lumad leaders were shot in the presence of the community and while elements of the 36th and 75th Infantry Battalion and Special Forces of the Philippine Army were around the community.

“After several dialogues with the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) and the Justice Department, after a number of so-called investigations, still no warrant of arrest has been issued to the murderers,” Palabay said. “Worse, the Lumad communities in Lianga are still in the evacuation in Tandag Sports Complex and the army troops are still in their homes,” Palabay said.

Just last week, residents of Sitio Polonpon and Sitio Boringon Brgy saw Bobby Tejero, with all his brazenness, in Mahaba, Marihatag, Surigao del Sur with elements of the Special Forces. Fearing a repeat of the Lianga massacre, about 1,000 residents were forced to evacuate after hearing a series of gunfires on October 1.

“Pres. Aquino has callously disregarded national and international clamor to bring in the United Nation’s Special Rapporteurs to investigate the massacre of Campos, Sinzo and Alcadev executive director Emerito Samarca. But the BS Aquino regime, as usual, only pretends to take measures to bring justice to the slain Lumad leaders to cover up its involvement in the continuing rights violations in the country,” added Palabay.

Karapatan has requested the UN Special Rapporteurs on Extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions, on the Rights of the Indigenous People’s, on Situation of Human Rights Defenders, and on the Promotion of the Human Rights of Internally Displaced Persons. The SRs however, need an official invitation from the government to visit the country and conduct their investigation. In their September 22 statement, the UN experts reiterated their request to visit and conduct investigations in the Philippines. However, Aquino, through the Department of Foreign Affairs, declined to grant the said request.

Karapatan is wary on the so-called investigations conducted or will be conducted by government agencies, “especially with how the CHR conducted its probe on the forcible evacuation of the 800 Lumad from Talaingod and Kapalong Davao del Sur.”

“The CHR Commissioners have resorted to victim-blaming in their hearing on the evacuees at the UCCP-Haran in Davao City. The CHR, in effect, has questioned the Lumad for not taking part in BS Aquino’s Oplan Bayanihan because they call for the pull-out of military troops in their communities,” said Palabay.

“As we mourn the killing of Campos, Sinzo and Samarca, we mark their courage to fight for the land, rights, and culture of the Lumad.  We stand with their families and communities in their cry for justice. Together, we will never stop in pushing for this US puppet-haciendero government to pay for its crimes against the Lumad and the Filipino people,” Palabay said.

“Campos, Sinzo and Samarca will never be forgotten as they had served the country by offering their lives to defend the poorest and the most oppressed majority. It is through their lives that every peace-loving Filipino and the international community learned about the Lumad struggle and the need to become part of it,” Palabay concluded.

Reference:
Cristina “Tinay” Palabay
Secretary General
+63917-3162831

Angge Santos
Media Liaison
+63918-9790580

http://www.karapatan.org/40+days+since+Lianga+Massacre%2C+murderers+still+sow+terror

———————————————————————
PUBLIC INFORMATION DESK
publicinfo@karapatan.org
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Alliance for the Advancement of People’s Rights
2nd Flr. Erythrina Building
#1 Maaralin corner Matatag Streets
Central District, Diliman
Quezon City, PHILIPPINES 1101
Telefax: (+63 2) 4354146
Web: http://www.karapatan.org

KARAPATAN is an alliance of human rights organizations and programs, human rights desks and committees of people’s organizations, and individual advocates committed to the defense and promotion of people’s rights and civil liberties.  It monitors and documents cases of human rights violations, assists and defends victims and conducts education, training and campaign.

White Culaman, Kitaotao, Bukidnon is in a state of martial law

ICHRP Secretariat
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White Culaman, Kitaotao, Bukidnon is in a state of martial law

Appeal for Action

On June 8-10, 2015, residents of Barangay White Culaman, Kitaotao, Bukidnon in Mindanao held a protest action at the Kitaotao municipal hall demanding from the local government unit the distribution of the PhP8 million calamity fund intended for farmers affected by the El Niño phenomenon.

The LGU acceded to the residents’ demands, but municipal officials reportedly called up White Culaman Brgy. Captain Felipe Cabugnason informing him of his constituents’ actions. Since then, the military operations led by the 8th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army (IBPA) and the 23rd IBPA continue to this day, October 8, 2015.

Cabugnason has also been instrumental in implementing military orders, especially the closure of the Fr. Fausto Tentorio Memorial School operated by the Mindanao Interfaith Service Inc. (MISFI). The barangay captain has set the deadline for the closure of the school on October 3 after he sent a “Memorandum” to MISFI dated October 1.  MISFI was given two days to close down voluntarily the school; otherwise the barangay council will do it. It is interesting to note that Cabugnason was a signatory in the school’s application for accreditation at the Department of Education. However, since the AFP arrived in Brgy. White Culaman, the village chief has been acting on orders of the military.

On October 7, Cabugnason, with his men, went to the school and threatened to demolish it. The local office of the Department of Education however temporarily prevailed and prevented Cabugnason from implementing the closure, saying the MISFI school has complied with all the necessary requirements to continue operation.

The military justifies the threat to close down the MISFI school by making up stories linking it to the New People’s Army. For example, when the military ransacked houses on August 27, 2015, the military claimed the school test papers and medicines they found were given by the NPA to MISFI.

The military combat activities resulted in a series of human rights violations that has virtually placed Brgy. White Culaman under martial law. Some of the documented violations of human rights are:  hamletting, forcible evacuation, forced recruitment into Barangay Defense System (BDS), forced surrender, grave threat, harassment and intimidation, illegal seizure, occupation of school grounds for military purposes, illegal arrests, coercion, indiscriminate firing, and endangerment of civilians.

Illegal arrests

On August 25, combined forces of the AFP and Philippine National Police (PNP) rounded up at least 15 civilians in Brgy. White Culaman, mostly leaders of peasants and Matigsalog-Lumad. The arrested civilians were leaders and participants of the protest action held early August. Among those arrested was Namabaw peasant organization Chairperson Ellen Manlimbaas.

The 15 were first held at the barangay hall and on August 27, they were airlifted by two helicopters and brought to the Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center in Malaybalay, Bukidnon for charges of rebellion. Two of the 15 were immediately released—one minor and a nursing mother. After almost a month of detention, the 13 detained were released upon dismissal of the rebellion charges against them.

The day after the 15 were rounded-up, some residents left their homes for fear of being arrested on mere suspicion that they are members or supporters of the NPA.

Hamletting

Features of hamletting were documented in Brgy. White Culaman such as military control of people’s mobility in going in and out of their village. Starting August 25, soldiers constantly summoned residents, through Brgy. Capt. Cabugnason, at the barangay hall where they are encamped. Male residents were ordered to report daily to log in their whereabouts for monitoring. They were also directed to take turns in guarding the barangay hall at night, purportedly against NPA attacks. A number of residents’ homes were ransacked while they were in the barangay hall.

Fake surrender

In a series of meetings, Bgy. Captain Cabugnason urged the male residents in Brgy. White Culaman to surrender and bring their firearms with them. Soldiers from the 8th IB and 23rd IB were present during the meetings. Cabugnason invoked a “list” of 67 individuals who would be arrested if they do not surrender. He kept telling the residents they are on the list. Some of the residents were ordered to sign “surrender” documents.

In one of the meetings, on September 7,  the military read a document telling the residents “to surrender and return to the folds of the law”. The residents, fearing of being red-tagged signed the “surrender document.” Forcing residents to “surrender” to the military is also done outside of meetings called by the military. Some are compelled to “surrender” because of planted evidence.

Lito Gawilan, a Lumad-Manobo, came from his farm and saw soldiers outside his house. The door of his house was forcibly opened and their things scattered on the floor. Lito went closer and saw a bag of nails strewn all over the front door.  The soldiers said the nails were components of explosives thus, he was immediately given a pen and ordered to sign a “surrender” document. Caught unprepared and out of fear, Gawilan signed the document, although they don’t own the nails.

Forced recruitment into the Barangay Defense System (BDS)

On August 28, farmer Gaudencio Indao was brought to the soldiers’ camp in the barangay hall. The military accused Indao of being a member of the NPA. Despite Indao’s repeated explanation, he was coerced to sign papers saying he was a former rebel who has surrendered. The military also took photos of him. The soldiers then tasked Indao to be one of the BDS leaders. He was also asked to help the military when they close down the MISFI school.

During the same meeting called by the military on September 7,  the male members of the community were forcibly recruited into the BDS and were compelled to serve as night guards supposedly to repel NPA attacks. Despite the residents’ opposition—saying they do not want to become pawns against the NPA—the military insisted. The military argued that those who will miss their duty as guards will be considered NPA members. The residents were also instructed to collect among those on duty Php 5 for coffee.

Forced evacuation

On August 29, around 30 families or 180 individuals evacuated from Brgy. White Culaman. The majority of those who were forced to leave their homes were those said to be on the military list of NPA members/supporters who should surrender or face arrest. The almost 200 individuals are now in a parish chapel in Arakan, North Cotabato. They left their communities in the middle of the harvest season.

On September 15, another batch of evacuees went to the parish chapel in Arakan to seek shelter after the barangay captain ordered the residents to hold a protest march on September 21 against NPA presence in the community. Again, the barangay captain said those who refuse will be considered NPA members, and thus will face arrests.

FFM participants harassed

On September 17, residents of Brgy. White Culaman, on orders of the military, blocked the participants of a fact-finding mission (FFM) tasked to investigate and document the extent of human rights abuses on Brgy. White Culaman. The team was composed of 200 members of faith-based institutions, human rights and people’s organizations.

The military, upon seeing the participants of the FFM, gathered the people in the community and instructed them to put up a barricade and not to allow staff members of Karapatan to pass through. While the people gathered, a team of soldiers went to the elevated side of the road and hid behind banana trees. They readied their guns and aimed at the mission participants. Some of the soldiers were behind the residents who were ordered to block the FFM.

Three soldiers acted as spokespersons. One of the soldiers told the FFM participants they would only allow the leaders of the group to pass through if they bring out Isidro Indao, Marlene Indao, and Claro Gawilan. The three earlier left the community for fear of being arrested.

In the afternoon, the soldiers allowed two female pastors and a woman tribal leader to talk to Brgy. Captain Cabugnason.  The members of the FFM resolved to take up the matter with the concerned local government unit.

There are more incidents of military abuses and rights violations reported after this, but have to be validated and documented.

Recommended Action:

Send letters, emails or fax messages calling for:

  1. The immediate pull-out of 8th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army and the 23rd IBPA from Barangay White Culaman, Kitaotao, Bukidnon.
  2. The formation of an independent investigation composed of representatives of human rights groups, churches, local government, and the Commission on Human Rights that will look into the series of human rights violations in Brgy. White Culaman.
  3. The immediate prosecution of the soldiers and Brgy. Capt. Felipe for the series of violations;
  4. The Philippine Government to withdraw its counterinsurgency program Oplan Bayanihan, which victimizes innocent and unarmed civilians.
  5. The Philippine Government to be reminded that it is a signatory to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and that it is also a party to all the major Human Rights instruments, thus it is bound to observe all of these instruments’ provisions.

You may send your communication to:

H.E. Benigno C. Aquino III
President of the Republic
Malacañang Palace,
JP Laurel St., San Miguel
Manila Philippines
Voice: (+632) 564 1451 to 80
Fax: (+632) 742-1641 / 929-3968
E-mail: op@president.gov.ph

Sec. Teresita Quintos-Deles
Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process
Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP)
7th Floor Agustin Building I
Emerald Avenue
Pasig City 1605
Voice:+63 (2) 636 0701 to 066
Fax:+63 (2) 638 2216
stqd.papp@opapp.gov.ph

Ret. Lt. Gen. Voltaire T. Gazmin
Secretary, Department of National Defense
Room 301 DND Building, Camp Emilio Aguinaldo,
Epifanio de los Santos Avenue, Quezon City
Voice:+63(2) 911-6193 / 911-0488 / 982-5600
Fax:+63(2) 982-5600
Email: osnd@philonline.com, dnd.opla@gmail.com

Atty. Leila De Lima
Secretary, Department of Justice
Padre Faura St., Manila
Direct Line 521-1908
Trunkline  523-84-81 loc.211/214
Fax: (+632) 523-9548
Email:  lmdelima@doj.gov.ph, lmdelima.doj@gmail.com
lmdelima.doj@gmail.com

Hon. Jose Luis Martin Gascon
Chairperson, Commission on Human Rights
SAAC Bldg., UP Complex
Commonwealth Avenue
Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines
Voice: (+632) 928-5655, (+632) 926-6188
Fax: (+632) 929 0102
E-mail: comsec@chr.gov.ph

Please send us a copy of your email/mail/fax to the above-named government officials, to our address below.

URGENT ACTION Prepared by:
KARAPATAN Alliance for the Advancement of People’s Rights
National Office
2/F Erythrina Building
#1 Maaralin cor Matatag Streets
Brgy. Central, Diliman,
Quezon City 1100 PHILIPPINES
Voice/Fax: (+632) 435 4146
Email: urgentaction@karapatan.org
Website: www.karapatan.org

AFP’s terror campaign vs Lumad schools escalates

ICHRP Secretariat
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AFP’s terror campaign vs Lumad schools escalates

“There is no let up in the regime’s campaign to close down Lumad schools. The landlord BS Aquino may have felt so humiliated there are segments of our society who do not depend on his “benevolence”. The Lumad built their own schools to save the children from illiteracy because the government has other priorities. These Lumad schools, for months now, have been the subject of red tagging, threats of closure, and the teachers and students harassed and killed,” said Marie Hilao-Enriquez, Karapatan chairperson.

On October 1, 2015, Percinita Sanchez, executive director of Mindanao Interfaith Services Foundation Inc., (MISFI) received a “memorandum” from Felipe Cabugnason, barangay captain of  White Culaman, Kitaotao, Bukidnon, saying he will close down MISFI’s schools in his barangay — the Fr. Fausto Tentorio Memorial School, named after the Italian missionary priest who was a victim of extrajudicial killing. Cabugnason said the school was proven to be “one of the strings of the New People’s Army (NPA).”

Sanchez was given two days, upon receipt of letter, to  close down the school or “the Barangay council will go where the school is located and we automatically close the school,” the letter stated. Cabunagson, MISFI said, was among the signatories in the school’s application for accreditation at the Department of Education (DepEd).

Brgy. White Culaman, for almost a month now, has been virtually under martial law with the presence of soldiers from the 8th and 23rd  Infantry Battalion-Philippine Army. Barangay captain Cabugnason has been mouthing the same orders coming from the military. Aside from the closure of Lumad schools, residents were arrested, forcibly recruited to the Barangay Defense System, and had to report to the soldiers’ camp at the barangay hall for monitoring.

Meanwhile, the Save Our Schools Network-Southern Mindanao reported that teachers, students, parents of Salugpungan Ta Tanu Igkanugon Community Learning Center (STTICLC) attending the school’s 11th Foundation Day and Bwalawan Festival in Talaingod, Davao del Norte were harassed by members of Alamara paramilitary group last September 28. Alamara members led by Lumansad Sibugan blocked the Salugpungan delegation, aiming their bolos and bows and arrows at the contingent.  Lumansad Sibugan is the same person presented to the media by the AFP in relation to the evacuees in Haran-United Church of Christ in the Philippines in Davao City and on the Lianga massacre. The contingent was again stopped by soldiers and Kapalong police on their way back, citing absurd violations such as, “driving without uniform, proper shoes, seatbelt etc. to justify the blockade,” added Hilao-Enriquez.

Early this year, STTICLC schools were almost closed down by DepEd Division Supt. Josephine Fadul, “upon AFP’s wiles.” During the 2016 budget deliberations at the Lower House, Education officials admitted the plan to close down 24 Salugpungan schools and replace them with schools ran by soldiers. The plan came out in a meeting called by the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA), which is under the Office of the President.

“This explains the brazenness of the AFP — harassing teachers and students, threatening to close down or burn the schools, and even killing Lumad school executive Emerito Samarca. These violations are committed with impunity,” Hilao-Enriquez said. “We ask the AFP: Are you doing your mandate to protect and defend the  small and powerless  in society? Is it wrong for the Lumad children to learn about their rights, their potential to develop as a community and how to defend their land from big foreign businesses?”

Reference:
Marie Hilao-Enriquez
Chairperson
+639175616800

Angge Santos
Media Liaison
+63918-9790580

http://karapatan.org/AFP%E2%80%99s+terror+campaign+vs+Lumad+schools+escalates

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