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PHILIPPINES: Another activist in "liquidation list" killed; two others survive attempts on their lives in separate incidents

November 10, 2006

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ASIAN HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION - URGENT APPEALS PROGRAMME

Urgent Appeal

10 November 2006
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UA-369-2006: PHILIPPINES: Another activist in “liquidation list” killed; two others survive attempts on their lives in separate incidents

PHILIPPINES: Extra-judicial killings, violence against activist; impartial and independent investigation; alleged involvement by military in killings; collapse of rule of law
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Dear friends,

The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) deeply regrets to inform you that another activist was killed while two other religious workers survived attempts on their lives in separate incidents on November 5 and 9 respectively. Dr. Rodrigo Catayong, the chairperson of human rights group Karapatan-Eastern Samar was killed. Catayong’s wife Marcela was with him when they were attacked. The two others who survived attempts on their lives were Rev. Billy Austin, head of the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan or New Patriotic Alliance) in Ilocos Sur and Rev. Lito Apalet. The two are attached to the United Church of Christ in the Philippines (UCCP).

According to information we have received from a reliable source, Catayong and his wife Marcela (54) were on their way to a church in MacArthur of Eastern Samar for a mass when attacked. While they were in front of a Catholic Church, five armed men riding on motorcycles shot them at close range. Catayon suffered eight gunshot wounds to his face, chest, neck and his back. He died on the spot. His wife reportedly suffered extreme trauma following the killing of her husband.

In another statement by Katungod-Sinirangan Bisayas, an affiliate organisation of Karapatan (Alliance for the Advancement of Peoples Rights) in Central Visayas, described Catayong as a "known peace-loving citizen, an advocate of human rights and civil liberties in the province of Eastern Samar".  Catayong chaired Karapatan- Eastern Samar since 2001.

Two months prior to Catayong’s killing, an alleged "liquidation list" containing the names of
31 personalities, including him, circulated all over the province. A certain Ka Hector of the Samar-Leyte Anti-Communist Movement (SLACM) signed it. They claimed that those in the list are members/sympathizers of the NPA (New People's Army) and accused them of having "done sins against the people."  The order for liquidation, they claimed, was approved by the Committee Central ng Pilipinas Hukbong Tagahatol ng Bayan, Leysam Anti-Communist Movement.

It was Agustin Docena, a member of the Eastern Samar Coalition of Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and People’s Organisation (POs) who reportedly disclosed the existence of the list in Tacloban City. Those included as targets were a mayor in Borongan, Samar; a public grade school teacher; three professors at the Eastern Samar State University—including Catayong; and leaders of progressive party lists groups, a policeman and a local media man. 

Those listed as targets are accused of being members of alleged leftist party list groups like Bayan Muna (People First), Anakpawis (Toiling Masses) and Gabriela. Catayong is the 90th victim of political killing in Eastern Visayas since 2001.

There is a serious allegation, however, that the SLACM could be the handiwork of and could be connected to the Civil Relations Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (CRS-AFP) in the area.  It is reported that that the SLACM and the local military unit had in the past conducted joint anti-communists rallies and activities in the region.

When the list was made public, the office of the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) were quick in alleging the list was the handiwork of the New People’s Army (NPA).  However, there has never been a thorough investigation to find out whether this is true or not, and that those responsible for the list are held liable.

In another case, initial reports from a reliable source from the Center for Trade Union and Human Rights (CTUHR) revealed that at 10pm on November 9, Rev. Billy Austin and Rev.
Lito Apalet was shot while on their way to Bayan office from a human rights meeting in Vigan City, Ilocos Sur. They were taken to hospital, and as of 11pm that day they already been declared as out of danger.  The perpetrators in this attack remain unknown.

The policemen investigating the case have yet to establish the motive behind the attack. But information from a local chapter of the Karapatan believed the attack on the victim’s lives could be related to their involvement in their political activities. Austin had participated in several mass actions. He too received death threats before the shooting incident.

SUGGESTED ACTION:
Please write letters to concerned agencies requesting their effective intervention to ensure that perpetrators into the killing of Dr. Rodrigo Catayong are identified. Allegations of possible involvement by armed group and that the military too could have a hand on this must be thoroughly investigated. Security and protection for those included in the supposed “liquidation list” must be afforded to them without delay. Similarly, please also request that an effective investigation is conducted to identify the attackers of Rev. Billy Austin and Rev. Lito Apalet. Immediate security and protection must likewise be afforded to them.

To support this appeal, please click:

Sample letter:

Dear __________,

PHILIPPINES: Another activist in “liquidation list” killed; two others survive attempt on their lives

Case 1:
Name of the victim killed: Dr. Rodrigo Catayong, chairperson of human rights group Karapatan-Eastern Samar
Alleged perpetrators: Five armed men riding on motorcycles believed to be a liquidation squad of the Samar-Leyte Anti-Communist Movement (SLACM).
Place of incident: in front of a Catholic church in MacArthur, Eastern Samar
Date of incident: in the morning of 5 November 2006

Case 2:
Name of victims who survived an attack:
1. Rev. Billy Austin, a head of the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan or New Patriotic Alliance) in Ilocos Sur province
2. Rev. Lito Apalet
The two are attached to the United Church of Christ in the Philippines (UCCP)
Alleged perpetrators: Unidentified armed men
Place of incident: Vigan City, Ilocos Sur.
Date of incident: at 11pm on November 9, 2006

I am writing to once again draw your attention to the killing of another activist and the attempts made on the lives of two others in separate incidents on November 5 and 9 respectively.

I have learned that on November 5, activist Dr. Rodrigo Catayong, chairperson of human rights group Karapatan-Eastern Samar, was shot dead at close range by armed men in front of a church in MacArthur, Eastern Samar. He was with his wife Marcela with they were attacked by five armed men riding on motorcycles. Catayong died on the spot due to eight fatal gunshot wounds. His wife, however, suffered extreme trauma as a result of the attack.

Four days after the attack on Catayong, another two religious leaders, namely Rev. Billy Austin and Rev. Lito Apalet survived attempts on their lives in Vigan City, Ilocos Sur. The two were on their way to their office after attending a meeting when attacked. They were taken to a hospital due to gunshot wounds and were later declared out of danger by physicians. This is the latest incident of targeted attacks against religious leaders.

You are aware that these separate incidents once again added to the enormous number of extra-judicial killings taking place in the country. Again, I am deeply concerned of the authority's obvious failure to act on this. I have learned that prior to Catayong’s killing, a list of persons subject for “liquidation” reportedly by an armed anti-communist group was made in public. His name was included in the 31 personalities who are target of murders. Despite this serious report, the authorities were unable to secure protection for him, and the other 30 others to date.

I am also deeply concerned over allegations that the military could have a hand or completely tolerated this armed group of taking violent acts against the civilians. Despite the list being made public, no serious efforts were made to have this thoroughly investigated and to hold those involved accountable for their acts. Whether the list is true or not, I am shocked by the government’s lack of serious action in this matter. Not even after the death of Catayong were those included in the list are given protection to my knowledge.

On the other hand, yet another attack on religious leaders is shocking. You are aware that Rev. Austin and Rev. Apalet are the latest victims of attacks against members of religious community. This violence against church people and the authority’s failure to protect them is unacceptable. I therefore urge you to ensure that these people are afforded with protection and security without delay. An effective and independent investigation must also be conducted to identify and prosecute the attackers.

Furthermore, I also urge you to exhaust all means of investigation to identify the attackers of Catayong. His wife must also be afforded with immediate security and protection without delay to ensure her safety. She too must be given appropriate counseling to treat her from the extreme trauma she experienced for the loss of her husband. It is the duty of the government to ensure that intervention is afforded to victims of violent atrocities.

Once again, I trust that you take serious and effective action on this matter.

Yours sincerely,


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PLEASE SEND YOUR LETTERS TO:

1. Ms. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo
President
Malacanang Palace,
JP Laurel St., San Miguel
Manila
PHILIPPINES
Fax: +63 2 736 1010
Tel: +63 2 735 6201 / 564 1451 to 80
Email: corres@op.gov.ph 

2. 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 

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: bluetree73@gmail.com 

4. Mr. Raul Gonzalez
Secretary
Department of Justice
DOJ Bldg., Padre Faura
1004 Manila
PHILIPPINES
Fax: +63 2 521 9548
Tel: +63 2 521 8344
Email: soj@doj.gov.ph 

5. Mrs. Esperanza I. Cabral
Secretary
Department of Social Welfare and Development
3/F DSWD Building, Batasang Pambansa Complex,
Constitution Hills
Quezon City
PHILIPPINES
Fax: +63 2 931 8191
Tel: +63 2 931 7916 / 931 8068
Email: eicabral@dswd.gov.ph    

6. Mr. Philip Alston
Special Rapporteur on Extra-judicial, Summary, or Arbitrary Executions
Attn: Lydie Ventre
Room 3-016
C/o OHCHR-UNOG
1211 Geneva 10
SWITZERLAND
Tel: +41 22 917 9155
Fax: +41 22 917 9006 (ATTN: SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR EXECUTIONS)

7. Ms. Hina Jilani
Special Representative of the Secretary General for human rights defenders
Attn: Melinda Ching Simon
Room 1-040
C/o OHCHR-UNOG
1211 Geneva 10
SWITZERLAND
Tel: +41 22 917 93 88
Fax: +41 22 917 9006 (ATTN: SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS)


Thank you.

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

Document Type :
Urgent Appeal Case
Document ID :
UA-369-2006
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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.