PHILIPPINES: Another social activist killed; two others facing threats 

ASIAN HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION - URGENT APPEALS PROGRAMME

Urgent Appeal Case: UA-271-2006
ISSUES:

Dear friends,

The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) writes to inform you that a member of a fishermen’s group was killed while two other activists are facing serious threats. Orlando Rivera (40) was shot dead in front of his family by armed, hooded men inside his house in Obando, Bulacan at 1am on August 16, 2006. The two other activists, Roman Polintan and Joseph Canlas were threatened in public by a military general, who made remarks that he wants them out of his area of jurisdiction.

According to a source from the Ecumenical Movement for Justice and Peace (EMJP) – a human rights non-governmental organisation in Quezon City, Metro Manila – Rivera was with his wife at the time, inside their house, when they heard somebody knocking at their door. When Rivera opened the door to check who was knocking, he was shot several times. His wife later noticed the armed men leaving after the shooting incident.

Rivera was formerly a member of the Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya), a group of fishermen in the area, according to reports. Rivera died from three gunshot wounds to his body from a .45 caliber pistol.

In another case, Roman Polintan and Joseph Canlas, chairs of the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan-Gitnang Luson (BAYAN-GL) and Alyansa ng Magbubukid ng Gitnang Luson (AMGL) respectively, have expressed serious concerns for their safety following a remark made by Major General Jovito Palparan Jr., the notorious commander of the 7th Infantry Division, Philippine Army. According to a report, Palparan’s remarks were quoted in a report published on August 14 in the Philippine Star, a national daily newspaper as: “I want Roman Polintan and Joseph Canlas out of Central Luzon”.

Both Polintan and Canlas have been actively involved in their work in Central Luzon. Regardless of how Palparan made his remarks against the two, their groups believe that these remarks “constitute a grave threat to the lives of [their] regional leaders”.

The groups have had experience of the violence that Palparan and his subordinates use against the villagers in the area following his assignment as head of the 7th Infantry Division, Philippine Army in September 2005. Since Palparan assumed his post, there have been a number of incidents of extra-judicial killings and attacks against village officials, villagers and activists. These include the killing of Barangay (village) chair Victorina Gomez and her Kagawad (council member) Romeo Atienza of Parian, Mexico, as well as the wounding of kagawad Reynaldo Macabali following an attack on 15 December 2005. Jess Alcantara, a municipal coordinator for Bayan Muna (People First) in Barangay (village) Pinaod San Ildefonso, Bulacan was also killed by two gunmen riding on a motorcycle.

It is also reported that Palparan’s men could also be to blame for the death of 50 year old Rolando Senangelo, a Barangay Kagawad in San Jose City, Nueva Ecija, who reportedly lost his sanity and committed suicide after he was allegedly tortured by Palparan’s men. Senangelo was arrested and subjected to interrogation to force him into admitting that he was a supporter of a rebel group.

Polintan and Canlas have been critical of Palparan, in particular of his units’ effort to enforce a strict ID system in several towns in Nueva Ecija, Central Luzon, by requiring residents to produce identity cards or Cedula (community tax certificate) to soldiers who are conducting patrol operations. When soldiers conduct operations to locate communist rebels, often they are highly suspicious of individuals who cannot present ID cards or Cedulas. On instances like this, the soldiers would then invite them for questioning on suspicions they are either rebels or their supporters.

SUGGESTED ACTION:
Please write letters to concerned agencies requesting them to conduct an impartial and thorough investigation into Orlando Rivera’s case. Rivera’s wife should also be afforded with adequate security while the investigation is being conducted. Appropriate protection must also be afforded to Roman Polintan and Joseph Canlas. The security arrangements must be made with their consent. Major General Jovito Palparan Jr. and his men must be investigated regarding the allegations against them.

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SAMPLE LETTER

Dear __________,

PHILIPPINES: Another social activist killed; two others facing threats

Name of victim killed: Orlando Rivera (40), a former member of the Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya), a group of fisher folks
Alleged perpetrators: Four armed, hooded men
Place of incident: at the victim's house in Obando, Bulacan
Date of incident: at 1am 16 August, 2006
Name of activists facing threats
1. Roman Polintan, chairman of Bagong Alyansang Makabayan-Gitnang Luson (BAYAN-GL)
2. Joseph Canlas, chairman of Alyansa ng Magbubukid ng Gitnang Luson (AMGL)
Name of person who made threats: Major General Jovito Palparan Jr., commander of the 7th Infantry Battalion, Philippine Army

I write with extreme shock concerning the fact that another social activist was killed and that two others are facing serious threats to their lives. According to the information I received, Orlando Rivera, a member of a fishermen group, was shot dead by armed, hooded men inside his house in Obando, Bulacan on 16 August 2006. Two other activists, Roman Polintan and Joseph Canlas, reportedly received threatening remarks from a military general--Major General Jovito Palparan Jr., the commander of the 7th Infantry Division.

I have learned that Rivera was with his wife at around 1am, when they heard somebody knocking at their door. When Rivera opened the door to check who it was, he was shot several times, killing him instantly. His wife noticed four armed men fleeing after the shooting incident. I urge you to conduct an impartial and thorough investigation to ensure that the perpetrators are identified, arrested and charged in court.

In another case, Palparan reportedly threatened Polintan and Canlas by making remarks that he wants them out of his area of jurisdiction--in Central Luzon. Palparan's remarks were published in a national newspaper on August 14. Although the remark he made perhaps does not at first glance appear be a direct threat against the two, I am deeply concerned that this is in fact the case, because I am aware of the violence that Palparan and his men have allegedly committed in the past.

Additionally, I condemn the use of threats and violence by Palparan and his military subordinates. Such remarks must not be tolerated, as they constitute threats and intimidation against the two activists, and in declaring these persons as being "undesirables" Palparan has exposed them to risks that others, including armed paramilitary groups, may feel encouraged to carry out attacks against them. I urge you to make Palparan retract his statement publicly and be made accountable should anything happen to these men. Furthermore, Palparan should be investigated with regard to allegations that he is responsible at the command level for killings and abductions in the Philippines. The two victims must also be provided with adequate security and protection, with their consent.

I trust that you will take action concerning this serious matter.


Yours sincerely,


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PLEASE SEND YOUR LETTERS TO:

1. Ms. Purificacion Quisumbing
Commissioner
Commission on Human Rights
SAAC Bldg., Commonwealth Avenue
U.P. Complex, Diliman
Quezon City
PHILIPPINES
Tel: +63 2 928 5655 / 926 6188
Fax: +63 2 929 0102
Email: drpvq@yahoo.com

2. Mr. Orlando Casimiro
Deputy Ombudsman
Office of the Deputy Ombudsman for the Military and
Other Law Enforcement Offices
3rd Floor, Ombudsman Bldg., Agham Road, Diliman (1104) 
Quezon City
PHILIPPINES
Tel: +632 926 9032
Fax: +63 2 926 8747
Email: omb1@ombudsman.gov.ph

3. Director General Oscar Calderon
Chief, Philippine National Police (PNP)
Camp General Rafael Crame
Quezon City 
PHILIPPINES
Tel: +63 2726 4361/4366/8763
Fax: +63 2724 8763
Email: pcrg@pnp.gov.ph  or ias@pnp.gov.ph

4. Mr. Raul Gonzalez
Secretary
Department of Justice
DOJ Bldg., Padre Faura
1004 Manila
PHILIPPINES
Fax: +63 2 521 1614
Email: sechbp@infocom.com.ph


Thank you.

Urgent Appeals Programme 
Asian Human Rights Commission (ahrchk@ahrchk.org)

Document Type : Urgent Appeal Case
Document ID : UA-271-2006
Countries : Philippines,