Stop extra-judicial killings in the Philippines

Mrs. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo President Republic of the Philippines Malacanang Palace JP Laurel Street, San Miguel Manila 1005  PHILIPPINES Fax: +63 2 736 1010 Dear President Arroyo, Re: Did you discuss extrajudicial killings with Pope Benedict? The is writing this letter after seeing a press photograph of your self with Pope Benedict, where the Pope […]

Dear friends, The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) deeply regrets to inform you that four activists have been killed in separate incidents, among whom was a couple engaged in developmental work. On June 17, activist Tito Marata was killed by gunmen in Loboc village, Oroquieta City. On June 19, George and his wife Maricel were […]

Dear friends, The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has received updated information that Regional Trial Court (RTC) Judge Justino G. Aventurado of Tagum City, Mindanao has yet to issue arrest warrants for a military official and his men charged with murder. Please see our previous appeal to read the background of this case: UA-72-2005. Aventurado has […]

[RE: UA-216-2005: Soldiers kill nine farmers in Leyte, Visayas; UP-141-2005: Peasants were brutally massacred by soldiers; pregnant woman among the dead; UP-019-2006: PHILIPPINES: Possible irregularities in police investigation; survivor details brutal killings of peasants; UP-053-2006: PHILIPPINES: Commission on Human Rights (CHR) set to file charges against soldiers allegedly involved in killing peasants in Leyte] ———————————– […]

Dear friends, The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) deeply regrets to inform you that another activist has been killed while a labour union leader faces serious threat to his life. Activist Markus Bangit was killed on 8 June 2006 at a stopover restaurant in Echague, Isabela. He was with his son Banna onboard a passenger […]

Dear friends, The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) writes to inform you that unidentified men riding motorcycles reportedly spied upon human rights lawyer, Jobert Pahilga and activist, Ms. Marissa Dumanjug-Palo in separate incidents. Pahilga reported that two men riding on a motorcycle pursued him through his neighborhood when he went for a court hearing. On […]

Dear friends, The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) deeply regrets to inform you that three more activists have been killed, one of whom was a priest, while another priest is facing serious threats on his life in separate incidents in the Philippines. On May 16, activist Jose Doton was killed while his brother Cancio was […]

Dear friends, The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) writes to inform you of the abduction and subsequent disappearance of two more activists in separate incidents on 8 and 16 May 2006. Activist Philip Limjoco was last seen on May 8 by his son Glen at a bus terminal in Dau, Pampanga. On May 16 activist […]

On May 12, the Department of Interior and Local Government formed “Task Force Usig”, a police-led investigative unit to probe the unrelenting killings of activists and family members in the Philippines. The task force has publicly admitted that the two big difficulties it has are that witnesses cannot be located or are unwilling to cooperate; […]

Dear friends, The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) writes with deep concern over fears of a possible violent dispersal of factory workers on protest. Protesting workers of S. P. Venture Corporation, a Korean owned garment factory operating inside the Cavite Export Processing Zone (CEPZ), have conducted a picket since 6 May 2006; a day after […]

[RE: UP-160-2005: PHILIPPINES: Armed men kill female activist in Bataan, Luzon; victim’s colleagues faces serious threat; UA-078-2006: PHILIPPINES: Nineteen-year-old activist found dead in Abucay, Bataan; UA-096-2006: PHILIPPINES: Activist killed and an attempt made on another’s life; UA-101-2006: PHILIPPINES: Two more activists killed in Bohol and Tarlac; Activist who survives attempt on her life and her […]

Dear friends, The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has received information that Rev. Jemias Tinambacan was shot dead and his wife Rev. Marilou Tinambacan was wounded by four gunmen along the national highway in Brgy. Mobod, Oroquieta City, Philippines on 9 May 2006. One of the perpetrators was identified by Rev. Marilou Tinambacan as Mr. […]

[RE: UA-096-2006: PHILIPPINES: Activist killed and an attempt made on another’s life; UA-101-2006: PHILIPPINES: Two more activists killed in Bohol and Tarlac; FA-007-2006: PHILIPPINES: A picture of the human rights situation in the Philippines in 2005] ———————————– PHILIPPINES: Extra-judicial killing; violence against activists and their families; absence of protection for activists in grave danger; complete […]

Dear friends, The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) deeply regrets to inform you that another two persons were killed while three other activists survived an attempt on their lives in separate incidents on 22 and 26 April 2006 in the provinces of General Nakar, Quezon and San Mateo, Isabela. On April 22, armed men believed […]

Dear friends, The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) writes to inform you that Gerardo Cristobal, a labour leader who survived an attempt on his life on 28 April 2006, is reported to have been falsely charged with frustrated and attempted murder by the police. It is reported that Superintendent Efren Castro, Imus police chief, filed […]

Dear friends, The Asian Human Rights Commission has received information that five persons have been missing since 28 April 2005 in Tagaytay City, Philippines. They are Riel Custodio, Axel Pinpin, Enrico Ybanez, Michael Mesias and Aristides Sarmiento. Riel and Axel are known peasant activists working for the organisation, “Kalipunan ng mga Magsasaka sa Kabite (Kamagsasaka-Ka […]

Dear friends, The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) writes to inform you about an attempt made on the life of labour leader Gerardo Cristobal (35) in Imus, Cavite at around 6am today. Cristobal and his companion, Juliet Tayoto, were riding a car passing a crowded street in Barangay (village) Anabu, Coastal when another car, in […]

Dear friends, The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) deeply regrets to inform you that another activist was killed while several others were seriously wounded in separate incidents on 6 and 24 April 2006. Activist Enrico Cabanit was killed while his daughter Daffodil is currently in a critical condition after a gunman shot them on April […]

Dear friends, The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) deeply regrets to inform you that two more activists have been killed in separate incidents. On April 5, Florencio Cervantes (27) was killed inside his house in Barangay (village) Sta. Cruz, Rosario, Agusan del Sur. His wife Elsa and their three children were able to escape when […]

Dear friends, The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) deeply regrets to inform you that another activist has been killed and his colleague is facing serious threats. Environmental activist Elpidio de la Victoria, programme director of environmental organisation Cebu City Bantay Dagat Commission, was shot in front of his house in Barangay (village) Dauis, Talisay City […]