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UPDATE (Philippines): Two more activists killed, one of whom suffered twenty-two gunshot wounds

December 5, 2005

UPDATE ON URGENT APPEAL UPDATE ON URGENT APPEAL UPDATE ON URGENT APPEAL

ASIAN HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION - URGENT APPEALS PROGRAMME

Update on Urgent Appeal

5 December 2005

[RE: UA-30-2005: Attempt on the life of human rights advocate and his wife in Abuyog, Leyte, Philippines; UA-34-2005: Killing of a labor rights activist for the Hacienda Luisita farm workers in Tarlac City; UP-26-2005: Priest supporting for the Hacienda Luisita farm workers in La Paz, Tarlac killed and two others wounded, UP-28-2005: Attempt on the life of a human rights lawyer working for the Hacienda Luisita farm workers; UP-29-2005: Two more leaders from the Bayan Muna party are killed in Baguio and Tacloban City; UP-59-2005: Another human rights activist killed in Visayas; UP-61-2005: Wounded victim in activist shooting dies: UP-75-2005: Witnesses of activists?killings in Luzon refuse to give evidence fearing their security; UP-101-2005: Another priest wounded in latest attacks on human rights activist in Visayas; UP-106-2005: Another human rights lawyer killed; wounded priest died while being treated at a hospital FA-27-2005: Another labor leader killed in Calamba City, Luzon; FA-29-2005: A female human rights activist stabbed to death in Bislig City, Mindanao; UP-143-2005: Killing of eight more activists reflects ugly reality of government’s failure to take adequate action
UP-146-2005: Activist couple survives attempt on their life in Cebu, Visayas; UP-156-2005: Unabated killing of activists; killing and threats against witnesses exposes the country’s defective witness protection programme]
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UP-158-2005: PHILIPPINES: Two more activists killed, one of whom suffered twenty-two gunshot wounds

PHILIPPINES: Extra-judicial killings; human rights defenders; inadequate government action; witness protection; impunity; rule of law
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Dear friends,

The Asian Human Rights Commission deeply regrets to inform you that two more human rights activists, namely Jose Manegdeg III of Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte and Albert Terredano of Sinapangan, Bangued Abra, both on the islands of Luzon, Philippines were slain in separate incidents on November 28 and 29 respectively. Manegdeg and Terredano are the latest casualties in the unabated killings targeting human rights and political activists in the country.

In their report, Karapatan (Alliance for the Advancement of People’s Rights), a human rights organisation based in Manila, Philippines revealed that both Manegdeg and Terredano suffered fatal gunshot wounds to their body. Manegdeg was shot by a lone gunman while awaiting a bus at Barangay (village) Apatot, San Esteban, Ilocos Sur on the evening of November 28. He was to meet his wife who was arriving from Hong Kong in Manila the following day when he was killed. He suffered twenty-two gunshot wounds to his body. On November 29, another victim, Terredano died while being treated at the Seares Memorial Hospital, Bangued.  He was shot by unidentified gunman riding on a motorcycle while on his way to his office at the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) in Bangued, Abra.

At the time of his death, Manegdeg was the predecessor of Romeo Sanchez, the coordinator of party list Bayan Muna (Peoples First) in facilitating their party’s activities and projects in the province of Ilocos. Sanchez was killed on 9 March 2005 in Baguio City, Luzon (please see our previous appeals: UP-29-2005).

The AHRC renews its appeal to call upon those people who are concerned in the worsening human rights situation in the Philippines to urge the Government to initiate adequate action to address this situation, in particular the effective and efficient implementation of the Republic Act 6981, an Act for Witness Protection, Security and Benefit (see full text of the act: RA 6981). It is obvious that the unabated incident of killings and attacks against activists is the result of the Government’s inadequate action to effectively implement this mechanism (please see further our previous appeals: UP-156-2005; AS-74-2005).

We urge your strong intervention in asking the Government to take action based on the concluding observation of the Human Rights Committee of the United Nations Committee on 1 December 2003 of the Government’s compliance to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). The Committee has said in its recommendations, in particular No. 8 (a, b) that the state should adopt legislative and other measures to prevent such violations.


Urgent Appeals Programme
Asian Human Rights Commission
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DETAILED INFORMATION:

Name of the victim:  Jose Manegdeg III (37), married with two children, a native of Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte, Philippines. He was the Regional Coordinator of the Rural Missionaries of the Philippines-Ilocos and Cordillera Staff of the Regional Development Center - Katinnulong dagiti Umili iti Amianan (RDC-KADUAMI)
Place of incident: Along the national highway at Barangay Apatot, San Esteban, Ilocos Sur, Luzon
Date of incident: 28 November 2005 at around 10:00 pm

Name of the victim: Albert Terredano (43), married with two children, a resident of Sinapangan, Bangued Abra, Luzon. He was a volunteer of the Cordillera Indigenous People's Legal Center (DINTEG) and President of the Department of Agrarian Reform Employees Association (DAREA).
Place of incident: Bangued, Abra, Luzon
Date of incident: 29 November 2005 at around 8:45 AM

Case details:

On 28 November 2005, at around 10:00pm an unidentified gunman shot dead Jose Manegdeg III in Barangay. Apatot, San Esteban, Ilocos Sur.  The shooting took place at a waiting shed along the highway. Manegdeg had just alighted from a tricycle he was riding when a gunman, who emerged from a van, approached him and repeatedly shot him.  The tricycle driver who was in the area during the shooting, sped off for fear of his life. He, however, returned to the resort where Manegdeg came from and informed his companions.

Manegdeg’s colleagues at the resort immediately contacted the police and went to the scene of the killing.  They found his body approximately 15 metres from the waiting shed. The victim’s bag, cell phone and other belongings were missing.  Reports from the province said that his body bore 22 bullet wounds from a .45 semi-automatic pistol.

Manegdeg was on his way home after participating as a speaker-trainer at a Paralegal Training Seminar at the Ursa Major Resort sponsored by the Ilocos Human Rights Alliance (IHRA)-KARAPATAN. Manegdeg, or "Pepe" to his colleagues and loved ones, left the training venue that evening to take a bus to go to Manila. There he was to meet his wife who was arriving from Hong Kong the following day.

Manegdeg was also the former coordinator of the Regional Ecumenical Council in the Cordillera Region (RECCORD) and an editorial staff of "Writing on the Wall", the official publication of the Northern Luzon Forum for Church and Society at the time of his death. His killing took place after his predecessor, Mr. Romy Sanchez, was also summarily executed on 9 March 2005 in Baguio City. It was Manegdeg who took over the responsibilities of Sanchez as facilitator of Bayan Muna-related activities and projects following the death of Sanchez.

Prior to his death Manegdeg was reported to have been spied on and was receiving calls and texts messages on his mobile phone. He also received written messages containing threats on his life. Manegdeg’s body lies in state at the Cathedral of the Resurrection (Episcopal Diocese of North Central Philippines, Magsaysay Ave.). His body will be taken back to Pagudpud, Ilocos Sur for the interment.

On the morning of 29 November 2005, another activist, Albert Terredano, was shot in Bangued, Abra province, Luzon. Terredano was on his way to his office at the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) when an unidentified gunman riding on a motorcycle shot him using a .45 semi-automatic pistol (with a silencer).  The authorities, however, have yet to identify and arrest the perpetrators. The gunshot pierced Terredano's lungs, entered his chest and exited through his left armpit.  He was rushed to the Seares Memorial Hospital, Bangued but died later while being treated.

Terredano’s colleague believed that he may have been targeted by the military because of being an outspoken human rights leader and advocate. He led the campaign against militarisation in the province and was involved in dialogues with the Philippine Army regarding the military operations in the area in October 2005. During that dialogue, a government soldier attending and pretended to be a student but was soon accosted by Terredano’s colleagues for spying on them. The soldier later admitted to his true identity.


SUGGESTED ACTION:

Please send letters to names and agencies listed below and raise your concern regarding the worsening human rights situation in the country, in particular the Government’s inadequate action to effectively implement RA 6981, and its failure to realise the recommendations made by the Human Rights Committee of the United Nations on 1 December 2003 as state party to the ICCPR.


Suggested letter:


Dear _________,

PHILIPPINES: Two more activists killed, one of whom suffered twenty-two gunshot wounds

I am shocked to learn that two more activists, namely Jose Manegdeg III of Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte and Albert Terredano of Sinapangan, Bangued Abra, both from Luzon were killed in separate incidents on 28 and 29 November 2005 respectively. I am deeply concerned that while these incidents continue unabated, the Government’s response has completely fallen short of what is required to prevent this violence and prosecute the alleged perpetrators.

I have learned that Manegdeg was shot dead by a gunman while awaiting a bus in Barangay (village) Apatot, San Esteban, Ilocos Sur on November 28. He was on his way to Manila to meet his wife who was arriving from Hong Kong the next day when the shooting occurred. He suffered 22 gunshot wounds to his body. Manegdeg had been receiving threats on his life prior to his death.

On November 29, another victim, Terredano died while being treated at the Seares Memorial Hospital in Bangued. An unidentified gunman riding on a motorcycle shot Terredano while he was on his way to his office at the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) in Bangued, Abra.

I urge your strong intervention to ensure an impartial and immediate investigation into these cases is conducted. The concerned authorities, in particular the local police authorities and Commission on Human Rights (CHR) must exhaust all means to identify the perpetrators of this cowardly act. Both agencies must also look into the allegations of threats carried upon Manegdeg prior to his killing, and appropriate action must be taken to identify those responsible.

The Government’s inadequate action to address the unabated killings and attacks against human rights activists all over the country is completely disturbing. Unless the perpetrators of these acts are identified, arrested and prosecuted, the Government will continue to fail its citizens, thus, depriving them of their right to life and protection under Article III, Section 1 of the 1987 Constitution.

I am also very disappointed that little is being done towards the concluding recommendations of the Human Rights Committee of the United Nations dated 1 December 2003. The Committee clearly states on its No. 8 (a, b) of their recommendations that the government must adopt legislative and other measures to prevent violations, such as the killing of human rights defenders, journalist and others. This, however, has not been realised, in particular the Government’s inadequate response to ensure the effective implementation of RA 6981, or the "Witness Protection, Security and Benefit Act."

I trust that your intervention on this case is forthcoming.

Yours sincerely,


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PLEASE SEND 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@chr.gov.ph

2. 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: +632 926 9032

3. P/DIR Gen. Arturo Lumibao
Chief, Philippine National Police (PNP)
Camp Crame, Quezon City
PHILIPPINES
Tel: +63 2726 4361/4366/8763
Fax: +63 2724 8763

4. Mrs. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo
President of the Republic of the Philippines
Malacanang Palace,
JP Laurel St., San Miguel
Manila
PHILIPPINES
Fax: +63 2 742-1641 / 929-3968
E-mail: corres@op.gov.ph, opnet@ops.gov.ph

5. Secretary Avelino J. Cruz Jr.
Department of National Defense
Room 301 DND Bldg.,
Camp Emilio Aguinaldo
E. de los Santos Avenue, Quezon City
PHILIPPINES
Fax: +63 2911 6213
Email: osnd@philonline.com

3. Secretary Raul Gonzales
Department of Justice (DOJ)
DOJ Bldg., Padre Faura
1004 Manila
PHILIPPINES
Fax: +6325211614
Email: sechbp@infocom.com.ph

4. Ms. Hina Jilani
Special Representative of the Secretary General for human rights defenders
Attn: Ben Majekodunmi
Room 1-040, c/o OHCHR-UNOG
1211 Geneva 10
SWITZERLAND
Tel: +41 22 917 93 88
Fax: +41 22 917 9006
E-mail: bmajekodunmi@ohchr.org

5. 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 (general)
Email: lventre@ohchr.org


Thank you.

Urgent Appeals Programme
Asian Human Rights Commission

Document Type :
Urgent Appeal Update
Document ID :
UP-158-2005
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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.