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PLEASE WRITE THE DOJ: An Urgent Appeal Of The Family Of Leonard Co

ICHRP Secretariat
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Dear friends,

Today, May 15, 2012, we are observing the 18th month of the killing of my  husband, Leonard Co. We are all still crying out for justice for Leonard’s untimely death and senseless killing, along with two of his companions, Julius Borromeo and Sofronio Cortez,on November 15, 2010 in Kananga, Leyte.

The panel of prosecutors formed by the DOJ had already finished the preliminary hearings in July 2011. It is now May 2012 and they have yet to come up with a resolution.

I am thus appealing to all of you, to all those who have loved, known and honored Leonard for his contributions in the field of science, botany and taxonomy, and to all those who believe that justice must be served:  Please help us urge the DOJ to release the resolution at the soonest time possible.

More than a year after Leonard was killed, celebrations of his life, as well as various activities that continue what he had started were organized one after another. I and my daughter, Linnaea Marie, are very grateful for all the outpourings  of love and respect you have given Leonard. Please give us the same strength as we call on the DOJ not to allow impunity to reign in the killing of Leonard and his companions.

We are learning the hard lesson that the clamor for justice is not easy to achieve, day by day. We continue to believe, however, that the DOJ resolution may pave the way in the arduous search for truth and justice and most importantly, in making the perpetrators accountable. We cannot bear to just wait while we know that after Leonard was killed, many more became victims of extrajudicial killings.

Please write the Department of Justice, and address your letters to Prosecutor General Claro A. Arellano and Secretary Leila M. De Lima. Let us flood their offices with snail mails, e-mails, phone calls and even SMS to remind them that we await the release of the resolution, and that we keep vigil on Leonard’s case.

On May 7, our daughter Linnaea Marie or Linmei, celebrated her 10th birthday. For a number of times, she was asked what was her birthday wish. Without hesitation, she said, “sana mabigyan na ng hustisya ang pagpatay ng mga sundalo sa tatay ko.”

Please help us fulfill this wish, however hard it may take.

Thank you very much.

Sincerely yours,

GLENDA F. CO
Wife of Leonard Co

ADDRESSES TO SEND LETTERS TO:

Department of Justice, Padre Faura Street, Malate, Manila, Republic of the Philippines, 1000Telephone: (02) 523-8481, (02) 523_6826Email: communications@doj.gov.phWebsite: www.doj.gov.ph

LEILA M. DE LIMA, Secretary, DOJ Telefax: 523-9548Direct Line: 521-1908Trunkline: 523-8481 loc. 211, 214Email: lmdelima@doj.gov.ph; lmdelima.doj@gmail.com

FRANCISCO F. BARAAN III, Undersecretary and Chair, DOJ special task force on extrajudicial killings., Direct Line No.: 521-8348, Telefax No.:526-2618, Trunkline No.: 523-8481 loc. 217/338, Email Address: ffbaraan@doj.gov.ph

CLARO A. ARELLANO, Prosecutor General, Telefax No. 525-0952, Direct Line No.: 525-0952, Trunkline No.: 523-8481 loc. 219, 281, Email Address: clarellano@lycos.c
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Hustisya National Office
2/F #1 Maaralin cor. Matatag Sts.
Central District, Diliman
Quezon City 1100 Philippines

Telephone: (02) 434-2837
Telefax: (02) 435-4146
Mobile: 0949-1772928, 0917-4881510
E-mail: hustisya.national@gmail.com

Militant groups expose worsening human rights situation in Quezon, announces formation of task force against militarization

ICHRP Secretariat
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Militant groups expose worsening human rights situation in Quezon, announces formation of task force against militarization

PRESS RELEASE, 14 May 2012 –  Different sectoral groups from Southern Tagalog led by KARAPATAN-ST and KASAMA-TK today held a press conference to expose the worsening human rights situation in the southern part of Quezon, which they said was caused by intensifying militarization of the rural communities in the said area.

According to KARAPATAN-ST Secretary General Glenl Malabanan, Eight (8) combat battalions of the Army, the PNP and CAFGU are currently deployed in 22 towns of the 1st and 2nd district of Quezon alone.  She added that, in the history of counterinsurgency operations in Southern Tagalog, they believe this is the largest concentration of military forces in a relatively small area.

“We are alarmed at the real intention of this large scale militarization. While the AFP is saying that this is part of their efforts to crush down NPA rebels, it is the countryside civilians who become victims to human rights abuse by soldiers,” Malabanan said.

The group cited a case of abduction in March last year in Macalelon town. Unidentified armed men allegedly took Farmer Felix Balaston to the 85th Infantry Battalion’s camp. He remains missing to date.

Just recently, last March 22, 2012, some drunken members of the 74th Infantry Battalion were reported to have manhandled some youth in San Andres town. Other cases of threat, harassment, intimidation, illegal arrest and detention perpetrated against local farmers are also being verified by KARAPATAN-ST.

Malabanan slammed the Aquino government’s counterinsurgency program “Oplan Bayanihan” as the culprit behind the human rights abuse.

“Like its predecessor, Arroyo’s Oplan Bantay Laya, Pres. Aquino’s ‘Bayanihan’ is targeting farmers and rural folks who struggle for land reform and are critical of government anti-people policies. We must not forget that under ‘Bantay Laya’ there have been 1,206 victims of extrajudicial killings, 206 enforced disappearances, and other human rights violations cases numbering in the thousands. What we see now is a repeat of this situation,” Malabanan said.

Meanwhile, Pedro “Tata Pido” Gonzales, secretary general of fisherfolk group PAMALAKAYA-ST and who hails from Quezon, said in the press conference that the protection of landlord and big business interests could be the real intention of the intensified militarization. He said that though Quezon is rich in agriculture, farmers suffer in the hands of landlords.  “Adding to this burden is the military acting out a private army for landlords and big businessmen,” he said.

KASAMA-TK Secretary General Orly Marcellana, also a native of Quezon, added that while farmers ask for land, the Aquino government replies with battalions of armies. “This proves that there is no difference between Aquino and Arroyo. Then, during the Arroyo regime, farmers call for land but are answered with brutality. Now, the situation remains the same,” he said.

The groups in the press conference announced the formation of a task force under the banner “Stop Militarization, Save the People of Quezon” with a rally on May 15 as its kick-off.

“May 15 is well-known for Pahiyas Festival in Quezon where we celebrate the feast day of San Isidro Labrador, the patron saint of farmers. While during this day we usually give our thanks for a bountiful harvest, our protest action tomorrow will show that there is no reason to celebrate because of the killings and injustices that we are experiencing,” Gonzales said.

The group said a satirical parade will highlight tomorrow’s rally where instead of being colorful, typical of a traditional fiesta parade, theirs will show the dark and brutal reality of the countryside because of militarization. ###

KARAPATAN-SOUTHERN TAGALOG
PRESS STATEMENT
14 May 2012

STOP MILITARIZATION, SAVE THE PEOPLE OF QUEZON!

The human rights group KARAPATAN-Southern Tagalog, along with the victims’ families and other sectoral organizations in the region, condemn in the strongest possible terms the unprecedented deployment of military in the province of Quezon, which has resulted to escalating human rights violations in the area. To date, at least 8 battalions of the Philippine Army have been operating in the Southern part of Quezon alone.

Units deployed in the area include Philippine Army’s 85th, 76th, 74th, 59th Infantry Battalions, 1st Special Forces of the Philippine Army, 201st Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division, CAFGU and 416th Provincial Police Mobile Group. While past administrations have also employed militarization in their counterinsurgency programs, the recent deployment in South Quezon is but alarming considering the concentrated number of military relative to the area it operates.

Quezon, specifically South Quezon and Bondoc Peninsula, can be considered as center of agricultural production where products such as coconut, corn, and grains abound. Minerals such as gold and petroleum also flourish in these areas. Development programs of both the government and private companies which include Bio-diesel in Gumaca, Mirant Powerplant Extension in Atimonan, and dam construction in Macalelon are also concentrated in South Quezon and Bondoc Peninsula. Touted as ‘Hacienda belt’, Bondoc Peninsula, meanwhile, has thousands of farm lands owned by the families Murray, Soleta, Estrada-Quizon, Tan, Reyes and Matias.

With these potential coupled with the agricultural blissfulness of the province, and the growing resistance of the locals particularly of the farmers, it is no wonder why the government has deployed that much number of military and police to South Quezon and Bondoc Peninsula.

A case of abduction in Macalelon town in March 27, 2011 was already reported to Karapatan. Unidentified armed men allegedly took farmer Felix Balaston to the 85th Infantry Battalion’s camp. He remains missing to date.

Just recently, last March 22, 2012, some drunk members of the 74th Infantry Battalion were reported to have manhandled some youth in San Andres town namely Rey Rodrigo (16 y/o), Reynaldo Delos Santos(18y/o) and Elmer Desuyo(21 y/o).

Other cases of threat, harassment, intimidation, illegal arrest and detention perpetrated against local farmers are also being verified by KARAPATAN-ST.

Army forces are currently stationed in houses and barangay (village) centers. Detachments are mounted in about 50 barangays in the rural areas of South Quezon. Several local farmers’ groups in South Quezon consistent in their struggle for genuine land reform against big landlords and businesses are now targeted by the military in their operations.

We call on the Aquino administration to immediately pull out the military and police troops deployed in South Quezon. While the government proudly banners its counter insurgency program Oplan Bayanihan in the name of ‘peace and development’ and continues to echo its mantra for the ‘respect for human rights’, farmers, workers, and other members of the basic sectors fighting for their democratic rights experience the most inhumane treatment from state forces.

We decry the brutality and manhandling of the military and police forces to the people of Quezon. It is unacceptable how those who have sworn to protect the interests of and defend the people are now the ones causing terror and sowing fear to them. The militarization in Quezon is not an isolated case. Elsewhere in the country, suppression of democratic and civil rights is blatant and prevalent. During the time of former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, there were about 180 reported cases of extra judicial killings (EJKs), 32 enforced disappearances, and other atrocities in the Southern Tagalog region alone. The human rights situation has even exacerbated when President Aquino assumed position, with 16 cases of EJKs and 3 disappeared in the region. Not to mention the continuing crackdown and filing of trumped up charges against political activists.

If President Aquino is serious in bringing justice and long-lasting peace in the country, then we challenge him to investigate the human rights cases and put an end to these human rights abuses by denouncing its Oplan Bayanihan. He can never silence the growing unrest of the people. As his regime continuously deny the people of their basic rights and liberty, the oppressed people are left with no other choice but to stand up and fight.

We rally all peace loving citizens to unite in condemning this injustice and abuse done to our fellow men. We also call on everyone to support the anti-militarization and anti-fascist campaign in the region.

This is just the start. We vow to continue the struggle until all forms of human rights violations is stopped and justice is served to all victims.

EXPOSE AND OPPOSE OPLAN BAYANIHAN!
JUSTICE TO ALL VICTIMS OF HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS!
MILITARY TROOPS IN THE COUNTRYSIDE, OUT NOW!

Reference: Glenn Malabanan [09185682090]
Secretary-General, Karapatan-ST
Contact: Carmela Lagang (Media Liaison) [09166233176]
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PUBLIC INFORMATION DESK
publicinfo@karapatan.org
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Alliance for the Advancement of People’s Rights
2nd Flr. Erythrina Bldg., #1 Maaralin corner Matatag Sts., 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.

Bloody Bukidnon: Anti-dam farmer-activist latest victim of extra-judicial killing in Bukidnon, Philippines

ICHRP Secretariat
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Bloody Bukidnon: Anti-dam farmer-activist latest victim of extra-judicial killing in Bukidnon, Philippines

Margarito “Boy” Cabal, 47 years old was gunned down by unidentified men riding a red motorcycle 6:30 pm on May 9, 2012 in Kibawe town province of Bukidnon.

Boy Cabal is a resident of Brgy. Tumaras, Kibawe, Bukidnon, a predominantly agricultural area hosting thousands of rural poor who depend much on land for daily sustenance. He has been vocal against plans to establish a Hydroelectric Mega Dam Project – Pulangi V of the electric firm First Bukidnon Electric Cooperative (FIBECO) which if materialized would submerge 22 villages in Bukidnon and Cotabato inclusive of several sacred indigenous peoples’ sites and countless small farms directly displacing thousands of the rural population.

Being a member of the Save Pulangi Alliance, a coalition of peoples in Bukidnon and Cotabato resisting the dam project, he has actively helped raise awareness of the issue. They have gathered strong support for their cause especially among the residents in the target communities. Through his invaluable effort, the alliance has also persuaded several local government officials to withdraw their endorsement of the project. His actions has empowered residents and at the same time angered the few who are in cahoots with the big businesses.

In his death, the rural sectors of Bukidnon spearheaded by the Bukidnon Farmers’ Association (KASAMA-BUKIDNON) expressed condemnation of the incident. The group said that they shall remain unfazed by Cabal’s death and that they shall thwart all attempts to weaken their organization’s unity in the struggle for genuine land reform and against development aggression.

And we collectively shout:

Justice for Boy Cabal, end human rights violations and impunity in Northern Mindanao!
No to Electric Mega Dam Project!
Stop the killings in the Philippines!
Justice for all victims of human rights violations!
End impunity now!

*Alerto Peasante (Peasant Alert) is published by the Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP or Philippine Peasant Movement) in Northern Mindanao.

For reference:
Gary Ben Villocino
Public Information Officer, KMP-NMR
E: kmp_nmr@yahoo.com
Mobile #: +63 946 717 9227
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RURAL MISSIONARIES OF THE PHILIPPINES-Northern Mindanao Sub-Region (RMP-NMR)
Room 01, Kalinaw Lanao Center for Interfaith Resources
0016 Bougainvilla Puti, Villaverde
9200 Iligan City, Philippines
T/F: +63 (63) 223 5179  E: rmpnmr@gmail.com  W: www.rmp-nmr.org

“our love is not to be just words or mere talk but something real and active” –1 John 3:18

Women’s rights group hail moms on Mother’s day, deplore increasing attacks vs women’s rights defenders

ICHRP Secretariat
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Women’s rights group hail moms on Mother’s day, deplore increasing attacks vs women’s rights defenders

MEDIA RELEASE | May 12, 2012 – Tanggol Bayi, an association of women human rights defenders in the Philippines, today hailed Filipina mothers, especially in recent “her-story,” in defending the rights and democratic interests of women and the poor and marginalized in the country.

“Many of them, such as Mrs. Edita Burgos and Ka Mameng Deunida, became public figures and personifications of the women’s struggles for social justice and human rights. Erlinda Cadapan and Concepcion Empeño, mothers of disappeared Sherlyn and Karen respectively, have taken steps forward to bring justice for their daughters by filing a case that resulted to warrants of arrests against notorious human rights violators such as Maj. Gen. Jovito Palparan Jr.,” said Dr. Merry Mia Clamor, convenor of Tanggol Bayi and a former political prisoner from the illegally arrested and tortured Morong 43 health workers.

Burgos, whose son Jonas was abducted in April 2007, has been at the forefront of the campaign to surface her son and all victims of enforced disappearances as chairperson of Desaparecidos. Deunida, a former laundrywoman in Malate, Manila, is the most known figure among urban poor leaders in defense of their right to decent housing, livelihood and socio-economic rights.

Clamor said that it is important that, beyond the pomp and commercialized celebrations of Mother’s Day worldwide, the general public should be reminded of the simple yet significant lives of mothers who are in fact fighting for a better world for their children.

Cristina Palabay, spokesperson of Tanggol Bayi, said that it is unfortunate that, as the public commemorates this day, rights violations continue to impair the well-being of women human rights defenders, with the recent reported cases of harassment, vilification, illegal arrest and detention.

She cited the arrest and incarceration based on trumped up charges of health worker Helen Igloria, a mother of three children, from Zamboanga del Norte; and the continuing harassment and threats to her life against Benedictine nun Sr. Stella Matutina, OSB, and secretary general of Panalipdan! Mindanao, an environmental organization in defense of indigenous people’s rights against big corporate mining.

“These women are dedicated human rights workers who are being vilified by members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines with Oplan Bayanihan as their tool of terror. They are not merely made vulnerable by such attacks against their persons, they are made fair targets for extrajudicial killings and further rights violations,” Palabay commented.

Barangay officials in Davao Oriental reported they were gathered by the 28th Infantry Battalion for an assembly last March 2, 2012, when 1st Lt. Hermie Montelibano, member of the battalion’s Civil Military Operations (CMO) spoke at the assembly, and said according to witnesses, “Kahinumdom mo adtong bag-o lang nga gipatay nga Italian Priest Fr. Tentorio?  NPA man to!  Naa pod nagpaila nga madre siya, pero dili siya mdre kay NPA man.  Stella ang ngalan.”  (Do you remember the recently killed Italian Priest Fr. Tentorio?  He was an NPA!  There’s also a woman introducing herself as a nun, but she’s not a nun because she’s an NPA.  Stella is her name.)

Reference: Cristina Palabay, Spokesperson, 09175003879
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PUBLIC INFORMATION DESK
publicinfo@karapatan.org
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Alliance for the Advancement of People’s Rights
2nd Flr. Erythrina Bldg., #1 Maaralin corner Matatag Sts., 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.

Peasants forced to evacuate as military bombings strike anew in Trento, Agusan del Sur—Karapatan

ICHRP Secretariat
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Peasants forced to evacuate as military bombings strike anew in Trento, Agusan del Sur—Karapatan

MEDIA RELEASE | May 12, 2012 – Initial reports from Karapatan-Southern Mindanao region said that more than 80 families from Sitio 33, Bgy. New Visayas in Trento, Agusan del Sur forcibly evacuated on May 7 due to bombings and intense military operations by soldiers from the 25th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army.

The evacuees are now temporarily housed in New Visayas barangay hall and in the Pulang Lupa multi-purpose center, while some 20 families were prevented by the military from leaving the community.

Karapatan spokesperson Cristina Palabay commented that, “bombings of communities by the military and the consequent displacement of people from their communities have become frequent and widespread since the start of the 2012, the second year of the implementation of Aquino’s Oplan Bayanihan. Thousands, including women and children who are most vulnerable under the situation, have now become victims of forced evacuation.”

Karapatan-Southern Mindanao’s account revealed that elements of the 25th IB bombed the community twice, dropping a total of seven bombs. The type of bombs has yet to be identified. Aside from the bombing, the soldiers also ransacked two sari-sari stores and stayed in civilian houses.

Karapatan-Southern Mindanao said that on May 6, soldiers arrived in Sitio Limot, Bgy. Cogonon aboard two military trucks. Shortly after, on May 7, around 7a.m., an encounter ensued between forces of the 25th IB and members of the New People’s Army (NPA) which, reportedly resulted to a heavy casualty among the soldiers.

What followed, according to Palabay was, “the usual act of the military to retaliate by way of turning their guns against the people aside from the fact that there is an ongoing mining exploration in the area conducted by the Osmetal Mining Corporation. Large-scale destructive mining and militarization have obviously become inseparable twin evils.”

Barely a month ago, representatives of indigenous people and peasants from the Agusan del Norte, Surigao del Norte and Bukidnon were in Manila to call the attention of various government agencies to the multiple human rights violations committed against them because of the ongoing military operations and bombings in their communities. They also sought support from non-government organizations, Church groups and diplomatic missions in the Philippines on the plight of the displaced people in the evacuation centers and expressed their desire to go back to their homes.  All these communities have on-going, or are targets for, large-scale mining operations.

“The marginalized people in the countryside have become so dispensable with the government’s policy of favouring large-scale mining corporations and the Armed Forces of the Philippines, as in the past, has become its tool to drive away people in favor of big business,” said Palabay. ###

Reference: Cristina Palabay, Spokesperson, 09175003879
———————————————————————
PUBLIC INFORMATION DESK
publicinfo@karapatan.org
———————————————————————
Alliance for the Advancement of People’s Rights
2nd Flr. Erythrina Bldg., #1 Maaralin corner Matatag Sts., 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.

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