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PHILIPPINES: Alleged surveillance and intimidation of a pastor in Pangasinan

July 25, 2006

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ASIAN HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION - URGENT APPEALS PROGRAMME

Urgent Appeal

26 July 2006
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UA-252-2006: PHILIPPINES: Alleged surveillance and intimidation of a pastor in Pangasinan

PHILIPPINES: Surveillance and intimidation of a human rights defenders; early warning of possible abduction or forced disappearance
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PETITION - PETITION - PETITION - PETITION
STOP EXTRA-JUDICIAL KILLINGS IN THE PHILIPPINES   
http://www.pinoyhr.net/

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Dear friends,

The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has received information regarding the alleged surveillance and intimidation of a pastor, Rev. Fr. Eleuterio “Terry” J. Revollido, Chairperson of Bagong Alyansang Makabayan – BAYAN (New Patriotic  Alliance) in Pangasinan province, the Philippines. His organisation has been working for marginalised sectors of society in the area and in particular has worked for several years against the construction of the biggest dam in Asia, the San Roque Dam Multi-Purpose Project in San Manuel, Pangasinan. Fr. Terry is concerned for his security after the killings of his organisation's vice chairman, Mariano Sepnio and General Secreary, Mr. Jose Doton by unknown armed men, which separately took place on 9 March 2006 and 16 May 2006. He believes that there is a great danger that he may be abducted or assassinated due to his activities as the chairman of BAYAN. The AHRC shares this belief and is highly concerned for the welfare of Fr. Terry.

The facts described below are based on the statement of Fr. Terry submitted to the AHRC.

Rev. Fr. Eleuterio “Terry” J. Revollido is chairperson of Bagong Alyansang Makabayan – BAYAN (New Patriotic Alliance) in Pangasinan province, rector of Aglipay Central Theological Seminary (ACTS) of the Philippine Independent Church (PIC), Urdaneta City, Pangasinan and chairperson of the Council of Priests, PIC. BAYAN-Pangasinan is an umbrella organisation working for the rights of peasants, workers, women, youth-students, drivers, urban poor, church people and professionals. One of the sensitive and crucial issues that BAYAN-Pangasinan has been campaigning for years on is its campaign against the construction of a huge dam named San Roque Dam Multi-Purpose Project in San Manuel, Pangasinan. In 2000, a policeman, who happened to be Fr. Terry's family friend and was assigned close to the Director of the Intelligence division of the Police provincial headquarter, informed his wife that Fr. Terry was under surveillance because of his activities against the dam. At that time, Fr. Terry was the chairman of the Promotion of Church People’s Response, PCPR-Pangasinan. This policeman was killed by unknown persons in 2001.

Towards the end of 2005, Fr. Terry's seminary janitor informed him that he was visited thrice by suspicious looking and well-built persons asking about the activities and personalities of those coming and going to the seminary. He was not in his house on the third time they returned, but according to his son they forced themselves inside the house potentially with the plan of abducting his father because he refused to follow what they wanted. According to the son, they were wearing "boots and riding in a white van". Later Fr. Terry's seminary assisted the family to construct a steel fence in their house for security reasons.

Beginning in 2006 one of Fr. Terry's colleagues was allegedly approached by an intelligence person presenting himself as the "case-handler" of Pangasinan and allegedly working with the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA). He even boasted of his direct line to Malacanang (presidential house) and having millions in their purse. The said colleague was visited twice by this person who promised a "cover" and money if information would be given about what was happening in the seminary and the activities of Fr. Terry. The said person refused the offer and is now living in fear. Even though the colleague made a written report regarding this experience,  it has not been made to public due to security concerns.

Meanwhile, Fr. Terry's vice chairman Mr. Mariano Sepnio was killed on 9 March 2006 by two armed motorcycle riding men. Fr. Terry and his colleagues were also informed by their neighbours and confirmed by some seminarians that there were suspicious looking men on motorcycles who were buying cigarettes in the nearby store but not removing their helmets and seemed to be scanning the seminary. There were also unusual movements of men for successive nights who spent some hours just standing close to the seminary.

Moreover, Fr. Terry's General Secretary, Mr. Jose Doton was ambushed and killed on 16 May 2006 following Mr. Sepnio's killing. Fr. Terry also reported that a suspicious looking man appeared at his seminary and asked for help. Because it was vacation time, only a few people were in residence and the man went up to the second floor of the main building and knocked on every door of the staff houses which was unusual for a man asking for money for the alleged "burial of his brother". On the afternoon of the same day, while waiting for a jeep in front of the seminary, one of the male lecturers (the one who informed about the morning incident) was surprised to find another suspicious looking man, who slowed down his L300 Mitsubishi and keenly viewed him from a distance. Only after passing in front of him did the man accelerate off in his vehicle. The lecturer said that the vehicle had a logo of the Philippine National Police (PNP) at the back.

Fr. Terry made written incident reports on all the events and submitted it to the PCPR-national, HR desks and to the bishops of the Church. The Supreme Council of Bishops then released a Pastoral Letter condemning the political killings and the surveillance and harassments being experienced by five PIC clergy, including Fr. Terry during their 8 May 2006 meeting. Aside from some security measures being devised in the seminary, personal security measures are also being followed. However, Fr. Terry is still afraid of his security and worries about his possible abduction due to his activities surrounding the rights of people.

The AHRC issues this appeal as an early warning for the possible abduction or assassination of Fr. Terry. We urge you to write to Philippine authorities regarding this matter. 

SUGGESTED ACTION:

Please write to the relevant authorities listed below and urge them to immediately conduct an impartial and thorough inquiry into the alleged surveillance and intimidation of Fr. Terry and his colleagues as well as into the killings of his two colleagues, Mr. Mariano Sepnio and Mr. Jose Doton. Please also urge them to immediately take measures to provide effective protection to Fr. Terry and his colleagues. 

To support this appeal, please click: 

Suggested letter:

Dear __________,

PHILIPPINES: Alleged surveillance and intimidation of a pastor in Pangasinan

Name of the victim: Rev. Fr. Eleuterio “Terry” J. Revollido, chairperson of Bagong Alyansang Makabayan – BAYAN (New Patriotic Alliance) in Pangasinan province; rector of Aglipay Central Theological Seminary (ACTS) of the Philippine Independent Church (PIC), Urdaneta City, Pangasinan and chairperson of the Council of Priests, PIC
Period of alleged surveillance and intimidation:  The first instance was in the middle of 2000; the second time towards the end of 2005 and the third time in the beginning of February until May 2006. These are the incidents known of and there may be more.
Place of incidents: ACTS, Urdaneta City, Pangasinan
Those allegedly responsible: Military or police intelligence units from the national and provincial levels
Potential motives: To intimidate and to gather information on Fr. Terry's activities as chairman of the BAYAN or maybe to possibly abduct or assassinate him as experienced by his two colleagues who were summarily executed (Mr. Mariano Sepnio, Vice-Chairman on 9 March 2006 and Mr. Jose Doton, General Secretary on 16 May 2006).

I am writing to express my deep concern about the security of Rev. Fr. Eleuterio “Terry” J. Revollido, chairperson of Bagong Alyansang Makabayan – BAYAN (New Patriotic Alliance) in Pangasinan province and rector of Aglipay Central Theological Seminary (ACTS) of the Philippine Independent Church (PIC), Urdaneta City, Pangasinan.

According to the information I have received, he is under alleged surveillance and being intimidated by the military or police intelligence units from the national and provincial levels. The detailed incidents I have been informed of are as follows.

1. In 2000, a policeman, who happened to be Fr. Terry's family friend and was assigned close to the Director of the Intelligence division of the Police provincial headquarter, informed his wife that Fr. Terry was under surveillance because of his activities against San Roque Dam Multi-Purpose Project in San Manuel, Pangasinan. At that time, Fr. Terry was the chairman of Promotion of Church People’s Response, PCPR-Pangasinan. The policeman was killed by unknown persons in 2001.

2. Towards the end of 2005, Fr. Terry's seminary janitor was reportedly visited thrice by suspicious looking and well-built persons asking about the activities and personalities of those coming and going to the seminary. During the third visit they forcibly entered the janitor's house potentially with the plan of abducting him because he refused to follow what they wanted. Fortunately, he was not present at that time.

3. Beginning in 2006 one of Fr. Terry's colleagues was allegedly approached by an intelligence person presenting himself as the "case-handler" of Pangasinan and allegedly working with the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA). He even boasted of his direct line to Malacanang (presidential house) and having millions in their purse. The said colleague was visited twice by this person who promised a "cover" and money if information would be given about what was happening in the seminary and the activities of Fr. Terry. The said person refused the offer and is now living in fear. Even though the colleague made a written report regarding this experience,  it has not been made to public due to security concerns.

4. Fr. Terry's vice chairman Mr. Mariano Sepnio was killed on 9 March 2006 by two armed motorcycle riding men. Fr. Terry's General Secretary, Mr. Jose Doton was ambushed and killed on 16 May 2006 following Mr. Sepnio's killing.

5. Fr. Terry was also informed by the neighbours that there were suspicious looking men on motorcycles seemingly scanning the seminary and that there was also unusual movements of men for successive nights who spent some hours standing close to the seminary. Fr. Terry also reported that a suspicious looking man recently appeared at his seminary and without informing them he secretly went up to the second floor of the main building and knocked on every door of the staff houses which was unusual behaviour for a man asking for help. Further, on the same afternoon, another suspicious looking man slowed down his L300 Mitsubishi and keenly viewed a seminary lecturer from a distance. Only after passing in front of him, did the man take off in his vehicle. The lecturer said that the vehicle had a logo of the Philippine National Police (PNP) at the back.

Due to these incidents, Fr. Terry is afraid of his security and worries about his possible abduction due to his activities for the rights of people. His concerns for his possible abduction or assassination are valid considering that his two colleagues have already been assassinated. 

I am deeply concerned by the escalating number of extra-judicial killings in the Philippines and, the primary responsibility lies entirely with the state to stop to the killings. However, the Philippine government has barely indicated any practical measures in attempting to stop these killings. I therefore strongly urge you to take genuine measures to stop these killings and this should start with effective protection being afforded to persons like Fr. Terry and his colleagues. I also urge you to order an impartial and thorough inquiry into the killings of Mr. Mariano Sepnio and Mr. Jose Doton and the alleged surveillance and intimidation of Fr. Terry and his colleagues.

I look forward to your urgent intervention in this 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. 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

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

4. Mrs. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo
President
Republic of the Philippines
Malacanang Palace
JP Laurel Street, San Miguel
Manila 1005
PHILIPPINES
Tel: +63 2 735 6201 / 564 1451 to 80
Fax: +63 2 736 1010

5. Mr. Orlando Casimiro
Deputy Ombudsman for the Military and
Other Law Enforcement Offices
3rd Floor, Ombudsman Bldg., Agham Road
Diliman (1104) Quezon City
PHILIPPINES
Tel: +63 2 926 9032
Fax: +63 2 926 7572

6. Mr. Stephen J. Toope
Chairperson
UN Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances
OHCHR-UNOG
1211 Geneva 10
SWITZERLAND
Tel: + 41 22 917 9176
Fax: +41 22 917 9006 (ATTN: WORKING GROUP EXTRAJUDICIAL EXECUTIONS)


Thank you.

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

Document Type :
Urgent Appeal Case
Document ID :
UA-252-2006
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Extended Introduction: Urgent Appeals, theory and practice

A need for dialogue

Many people across Asia are frustrated by the widespread lack of respect for human rights in their countries.  Some may be unhappy about the limitations on the freedom of expression or restrictions on privacy, while some are affected by police brutality and military killings.  Many others are frustrated with the absence of rights on labour issues, the environment, gender and the like. 

Yet the expression of this frustration tends to stay firmly in the private sphere.  People complain among friends and family and within their social circles, but often on a low profile basis. This kind of public discourse is not usually an effective measure of the situation in a country because it is so hard to monitor. 

Though the media may cover the issues in a broad manner they rarely broadcast the private fears and anxieties of the average person.  And along with censorship – a common blight in Asia – there is also often a conscious attempt in the media to reflect a positive or at least sober mood at home, where expressions of domestic malcontent are discouraged as unfashionably unpatriotic. Talking about issues like torture is rarely encouraged in the public realm.

There may also be unwritten, possibly unconscious social taboos that stop the public reflection of private grievances.  Where authoritarian control is tight, sophisticated strategies are put into play by equally sophisticated media practices to keep complaints out of the public space, sometimes very subtly.  In other places an inner consensus is influenced by the privileged section of a society, which can control social expression of those less fortunate.  Moral and ethical qualms can also be an obstacle.

In this way, causes for complaint go unaddressed, un-discussed and unresolved and oppression in its many forms, self perpetuates.  For any action to arise out of private frustration, people need ways to get these issues into the public sphere.

Changing society

In the past bridging this gap was a formidable task; it relied on channels of public expression that required money and were therefore controlled by investors.  Printing presses were expensive, which blocked the gate to expression to anyone without money.  Except in times of revolution the media in Asia has tended to serve the well-off and sideline or misrepresent the poor.

Still, thanks to the IT revolution it is now possible to communicate with large audiences at little cost.  In this situation there is a real avenue for taking issues from private to public, regardless of the class or caste of the individual.

Practical action

The AHRC Urgent Appeals system was created to give a voice to those affected by human rights violations, and by doing so, to create a network of support and open avenues for action.  If X’s freedom of expression is denied, if Y is tortured by someone in power or if Z finds his or her labour rights abused, the incident can be swiftly and effectively broadcast and dealt with. The resulting solidarity can lead to action, resolution and change. And as more people understand their rights and follow suit, as the human rights consciousness grows, change happens faster. The Internet has become one of the human rights community’s most powerful tools.   

At the core of the Urgent Appeals Program is the recording of human rights violations at a grass roots level with objectivity, sympathy and competence. Our information is firstly gathered on the ground, close to the victim of the violation, and is then broadcast by a team of advocates, who can apply decades of experience in the field and a working knowledge of the international human rights arena. The flow of information – due to domestic restrictions – often goes from the source and out to the international community via our program, which then builds a pressure for action that steadily makes its way back to the source through his or her own government.   However these cases in bulk create a narrative – and this is most important aspect of our program. As noted by Sri Lankan human rights lawyer and director of the Asian Human Rights Commission, Basil Fernando:

"The urgent appeal introduces narrative as the driving force for social change. This idea was well expressed in the film Amistad, regarding the issue of slavery. The old man in the film, former president and lawyer, states that to resolve this historical problem it is very essential to know the narrative of the people. It was on this basis that a court case is conducted later. The AHRC establishes the narrative of human rights violations through the urgent appeals. If the narrative is right, the organisation will be doing all right."

Patterns start to emerge as violations are documented across the continent, allowing us to take a more authoritative, systemic response, and to pinpoint the systems within each country that are breaking down. This way we are able to discover and explain why and how violations take place, and how they can most effectively be addressed. On this path, larger audiences have opened up to us and become involved: international NGOs and think tanks, national human rights commissions and United Nations bodies.  The program and its coordinators have become a well-used tool for the international media and for human rights education programs. All this helps pave the way for radical reforms to improve, protect and to promote human rights in the region.