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UPDATE (Philippines): Armed men kill female activist in Bataan, Luzon; victim's colleagues faces serious threat

December 7, 2005

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

ASIAN HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION - URGENT APPEALS PROGRAMME

Update on Urgent Appeal

7 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; UP-158-2005: Two more activists killed, one of whom suffered twenty-two gunshot wounds]
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UP-160-2005: PHILIPPINES: Armed men kill female activist in Bataan, Luzon; victim’s colleagues faces serious threat

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 another activist, Cathy Alcantara (44), was killed by unidentified armed men while participating in a conference of farmers at a resort in Barangay (village) Gabon, Abucay, Bataan, Luzon on 5 December 2005. Alcantara died on her way to the hospital due to fatal gunshot wounds. According to a reliable source, Alcantara and her colleagues in the Kilusan para sa Pambansang Demokrasya (KPD), a national political organisation engaged in the struggle for political and democratic rights, had been receiving threats to their lives and were spied upon by armed men prior to the killing.

Alcantara is survived by her husband, a community organizer of peasants, and her two children. She was the secretary general of the KPD on its chapter in Bataan at the time of her death. In the past, Alcantara actively participated in various people’s struggle in Bataan and nearby regions.  On November 23, she organised a contingent of students and women from different areas in Bataan to demonstrate and demand justice to a Filipino woman allegedly raped by American soldiers in Subic.

Alcantara is yet another victim of these unabated attacks against human rights and political activist all over the country. The AHRC reiterates daily the Government’s responsibility to take adequate action to prevent this violence from reoccurring and to prosecute the perpetrators. The Government has yet to realise the recommendations made by the United Nations Human Rights Committee issued on 1 December 2003 in compliance of its obligation as state party to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), which reads: “No. 8 (a) The State party should adopt legislative and other measures to prevent such violations…”

The Government’s failure to take action is evident in its ineffective implementation of Republic Act 6981, an act ensuring a witness protection, security and benefit program. The AHRC has previously reported the government’s failure to provide security and protection to the activists, the families of the dead and witnesses who face threats to their lives (please see our previous appeals: UP-156-2005; AS-74-2005). It is obvious that the state’s response falls well short of what is urgently required. The rule of law and the basic elements of protection of human rights is seriously being undermined.

We therefore urge your intervention to pressure the Government to take adequate and effective measures to address this problem and prevent it from reoccurring. The Government must exhaust all means in identifying, arresting and prosecuting the perpetrators in a court of law. This will only be achieved through the implementation of an effective investigation into all cases.

Urgent Appeals Programme
Asian Human Rights Commission
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DETAILED INFORMATION:

Name of the victim: Cathy Alcantara (44), secretary general of the Kilusan para sa Pambansang Demokrasya (KPD) in Bataan, a national political organisation engaged in the struggle for political and democratic rights. She is survived by her two children and husband.
Date and place of incident: 5 December 2005 near the County Resort in Barangay (village) Gabon, Abucay, Bataan, Luzon

Case details:

On 5 December 2005, at around 10:00am Cathy Alcantara (44) was killed by unidentified armed men in Abucay, Bataan province, Luzon, the Philippines. She was declared dead on arrival at the Bataan Provincial Hospital due to fatal gunshot wounds. The incident took place near the vicinity of the County Resort.

Ms Alcantara was attending the Luzon-wide farmers’ conference organised by the Pambansang Katipunan ng Makabayang Magbubukid (PKMM), a member organisation of the Kilusan para sa Pambansang Demokrasya (KPD). The KPD is a national organisation engaged in the struggle for political and democratic rights and sectoral issues. The conference was attended by farmers from all over the Luzon islands.

According to a reliable source from the KPD there have been threats and intimidation against their colleagues, in particular the community organisers prior to the incident. Ms Alcantara was among them. On several occasions, KPD organisers were spied and monitored upon by unknown armed men. On one occasion two armed men inquired about the whereabouts of their colleagues.

At the time of her death, Ms Alcantara was the regional coordinator and secretary- general of the KPD in Bataan Chapter. Ms Alcantara actively participated in various activities in Bataan and in nearby regions, in particular against the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant (BNPP) and during the anti-US bases campaign.  On November 23, Ms Alcantara organized the students and women from Bataan to demonstrate and call for justice to a Filipino who was allegedly raped by American soldiers in Subic.

She was survived by her husband, who is an organiser of farmers, and their two children.

The style in the killing of Ms Alcantara is similar to the human rights and political activists slain in Central Luzon in recent times. Alcantara is the first casualty among the members and networks of the KPD.

SUGGESTED ACTION:

Please send letters to concerned government agencies, in particular the Philippine National Police and the Commission on Human Rights in the Philippines (CHRP) asking for an effective investigation into Ms. Alcantara killing. Both agencies must also investigate the threats against the colleagues of Ms. Alcantara’s and provide them with immediate protection.


Dear _________,

PHILIPPINES: Armed men kill female activist in Bataan, Luzon; victim’s colleagues faces serious threat

Name of the victim: Cathy Alcantara (44), secretary general of the Kilusan para sa Pambansang Demokrasya (KPD) in Bataan, a national political organisation engaged in the struggle for political and democratic rights. She is survived by her two children and husband.
Date and place of incident: 5 December 2005 at around 10:00am near the County Resort in Barangay (village) Gabon, Abucay, Bataan, Luzon

I am appalled to write that another activist, Cathy Alcantara (44), was killed by unidentified armed men in Abucay, Bataan, Luzon on 5 December 2005. Ms. Alcantara was declared dead on arrival at the Bataan Provincial Hospital due to fatal gunshot wounds.  I am deeply concerned by this and the other unrestrained killings of activist that are occurring in the Philippines right now.

I am aware that prior to her death, Ms Alcantara had been intimidated and harassed by unknown persons. I have learned that Ms. Alcantara’s colleagues have likewise faced threats to their lives. On several occasions, unidentified armed men were reportedly spying on the organisers of the KPD. Ms Alcantara is survived by her husband, who is an organiser of farmers, and her two children.

I am deeply concerned by the unrestrained killings and violence against activists across the country. I am very disappointed by the Government’s inadequate response to take appropriate measures to prevent this from reoccurring. I am also concerned by the Government’s inaction to afford protection and safety to activists facing threats, families of the dead and witnesses to the killings.

I urge your strong intervention to ensure an impartial and effective investigation is conducted so as to identify the perpetrators in Ms Alcantara’s killing. Appropriate protection must be afforded to her colleagues. The local police authorities must investigate the reported threats on Ms Alcantara’s colleagues and take appropriate action against those responsible.

I am deeply disappointed by the Government’s failure to respond to the concluding observations and recommendations made by the Human Rights Committee of the United Nations in 1 December 2003. As state party to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), the Government is obligated to realise the Committee’s recommendations, which is to “adopt legislative and other measures to prevent such violations and take appropriate action to prevent the killing of human rights defenders and prosecute the perpetrators.”

I call upon the government to immediately take action on this serious matter. It is essential that witness protection, effective and impartial investigations and speedy disposition of cases in court are ensured to address the unabated killings and violence against activists in the country.

I trust that you will take action on this case.

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-160-2005
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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.