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UPDATE (Philippines): Two more leaders from the Bayan Muna party were killed in Baguio and Tacloban City

March 21, 2005

URGENT ACTION URGENT ACTION URGENT ACTION URGENT ACTION URGENT ACTION

ASIAN HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION - URGENT APPEALS PROGRAM

Updated Appeal on Urgent Appeals
21 March 2005

[RE: 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]

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UP-29-2005: PHILIPPINES: Two more leaders from the Bayan Muna party are killed in Baguio and Tacloban City

PHILIPPINES: Extra-judicial killings; Human Rights defender; Rule of law
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Dear friends,

The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) wishes to bring to your attention regarding information from Karapatan (Alliance for the Advancement of People’s Rights) and Cordillera Human Rights Alliance (CHRA) into the killing of two leaders from the Bayan Muna party. Victims Romeo Sanchez and Fedilito Dacut were killed in Baguio City on 9 March 2005 and in Tacloban City on 14 March 2005 respectively. The victims were both Regional Coordinators of Bayan Muna, a legitimate and progressive party highly critical of the government.

The killing of Sanchez and Dacut is seemingly a part of the systematic attacks and violence currently occurring against human rights activist members of the Bayan Muna party.

In the past three months, three of the party’s leaders and known supporters, namely Marcelino Beltran, Councilor Abelardo Ladera (UA-34-2005) and Fr. William Tadena (UP-26-2005), were killed. All were staunch supporters of the farmers on strike in Hacienda Luisita, Tarlac. Recently there was an attempt on the life of lawyer Romeo Capulong (UP-28-2005), the senior legal consultant to the workers on strike.

We urge your intervention in this matter. We asked you to pressure the government to take this violence against Bayan Muna leaders and supporters seriously and that immediate action to prevent it from further must take place. Also demand that military officials and units suspected of having played a role in the violence and the murders be investigated by an independent investigating body. They should be relieved from their posts temporarily while the investigations are on going so as to prevent them from influencing its outcome.

Further please urge for the provision of financial assistance to families of the dead. They must be properly informed of the proceedings during the investigations and its final outcome. The government must also ensure their security while investigations are conducted.


Urgent Appeals Desk
AHRC Urgent Appeals Programme

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DETAILED INFORMATION:

Victim’s name:
1.) Romeo Sanchez (39), a resident of Cabaroan, San Fernando, La Union and Regional Coordinator of Bayan Muna Ilocos
Date of Incident: 9 March 2005, at around 5:10pm
Place of Incident: in front of Cebuana Lhuillier and Western Union Bank along 3rd Kayang St., Baguio City
Perpetrator: Unidentified

Victim’s name:
2.) Atty. Felidito Dacut (51), a resident of Kassel Homes Subdivision, Tacloban City. Regional Coordinator of Bayan Muna for Eastern Visayas
Place of incident: At the corner of Real and Arellano Streets, Tacloban City
Date of incident: 14 March 2005 at around 6:45pm
Perpetrators: Two unidentified perpetrators aboard a single motorcycle


Account of Incident:

Two regional coordinators of the Bayan Muna party, were assassinated by unidentified armed men in Baguio City and in Tacloban, Philippines. The killing added to the number of party’s leaders and supporters of Bayan Muna who were killed or injured in the past months.

On 9 March 2005, Romeo Sanchez (39), the Regional Coordinator for Ilocos Region, was shot dead by unidentified gunmen at around 4:30pm along 3rd Kayang Street in Baguio City while buying used clothing in a market. Sanchez was with two office mates, Abraham Austin and Beth Alfiler, who are about to attend a consultation meeting when the incident happened.

The three had just finished buying used clothing and were on their way to the consultation’s venue when Austin and Alfier, who headed out of the market ahead of Sanchez, heard gunfire. They saw Romy’s body lying dead on the cemented road when they turned around.

Two policemen who were on foot patrol arrived and investigated the crime scene. Austin and Alfier were also questioned about Sanchez’s killing and their purpose of going to Baguio. They were made to present their IDs and Cedulas (community tax certificate) for verification. More policemen from Baguio City Police arrived and likewise conducted investigations. Members of the Scene of the Crime Operation (SOCO) cordoned off the crime scene. Autopsy report show Sanchez died from a single bullet of on his head.

Sanchez was married to Elvira Sanchez and had five children was once a victim of illegal arrest, detention and torture. On 8 May 2000, he, along with a Nomer Kuan, were arrested by elements of the Intelligence Services of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (ISAFP) in Binangonan, Rizal on suspicions they were involved in the killing of a rebel priest.

Since Sanchez’s release from jail on July 19, 2000, he has been harassed and threatened by forces believed to be military.

On 14 March 2005, lawyer Felidito Dacut was shot dead by two unidentified gunmen after leaving a consultation meeting at the party’s regional headquarters at Yao-Ka-Sin Compound, Old Road, Sagkahan District, Tacloban City. He was with a colleague whom he requested to accompany him.
?lt;br />Dacut and his companion were on their way downtown aboard a passenger vehicle. While they were inside, Dacut was shot on the back by a gunmen riding on another motorcycle that was apparently tailing them. His companion saw the gunmen holding his gun at the time Dacut fell down.

The gunmen then sped away. One of the witnesses saw the gunmen fired at Dacuts. Upon hearing the gunfire, Dacut’s companion shouted for help. The commotion caught the attention of people nearby.

According to the witnesses, the incident was estimated to have happened at 6:45-6:50pm. There were five witnesses to the incident. Dacut was immediately rushed to nearby UCCP Bethany Hospital but died later while undergoing treatment. The victim sustained a single fatal wound.

Members of Tacloban Philippine National Police later arrived at the Bethany Hospital where they conducted investigation.

Prior to his death, Dacut had provided legal services and handled the cases of poor people free of charge. Those cases involve human rights abuses. He was the regional coordinator of Bayan Muna party and a member of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP).

His colleagues believe Dacut’s death was a move to silence him or discourage human rights activist from campaigning against the recent assignment of Maj. Gen. Jovito S. Palparan Jr. as commanding general of the 8 Infantry Division (ID) in Eastern Visayas. Palparan has a poor record of human rights practice and was accused of being responsible for the killing of activist in Mindoro in 2003.

SUGGESTED ACTION:
Please send a letter, fax or e-mail to the following authorities and express your concern about this case.
Sample letter:

Dear ____________,

Re: PHILIPPINES: Two more leaders from the Bayan Muna party are killed separately in Baguio and Tacloban City

Victim’s name:
1.) Romeo Sanchez (39), a resident of Cabaroan, San Fernando, La Union and Regional Coordinator of Bayan Muna Ilocos
Date of Incident: 9 March 2005, at around 5:10pm
Place of Incident: in front of Cebuana Lhuillier and Western Union Bank along 3rd Kayang St., Baguio City
Perpetrator: Unidentified

Victim’s name:
2.) Atty. Felidito Dacut (51), a resident of Kassel Homes Subdivision, Tacloban City. Regional Coordinator of Bayan Muna for Eastern Visayas
Place of incident: At the corner of Real and Arellano Streets, Tacloban City
Date of incident: 14 March 2005 at around 6:45pm
Perpetrators: Two unidentified perpetrators aboard a single motorcycle

I am writing to bring to your attention yet another case of killings targeted at leaders of Bayan Muna party. In the span of one week, two local party leaders of Bayan Muna namely Romeo Sanchez of San Fernando, La Union and Felidito Dacut of Tacloban City, were assassinated. Despite these killings, to my knowledge no serious action has been taken by the authorities to bring the perpetrators to justice or prevent violence and attack against human rights activists.

This incident is yet another attack not only on the party itself but also to the basic foundation of human rights. This continuing violence against activist is in part due to the government’s failure and inaction to intervene and protect its citizen of the right ‘not to be deprived of life or denied equal protection of law without due process of law?as provided in the 1987 Philippine Constitution, is currently being ignored.

These incidents of killings and violence against activist, in particular leaders and supporters of Bayan Muna, must be dealt with accordingly by the government. I urge that an immediate and impartial investigation be conducted into this matter. An independent investigating body must take a lead in the probe and must closely coordinate with the victim’s family regarding the investigation’s outcome.

I also urge that those military officials and units, who are suspected to have played a role in these incidents, must be investigated and relieved from their post to prevent them from influencing investigations. The family of the victims must be indemnified and ensured of their safety.

Sanchez and Dacut are the latest victims to be killed among Bayan Muna local leaders and supporters. The previous killings of Marcelino Beltran in December 2004, Councilor Abelardo Ladera and Fr. William Tadena in 4 March and 13 March respectively, all in Tarlac, all remain unsolved.?

As provided in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), both of which the Philippine government is a signatory, obliges the government to ensure and protect its citizens for the enjoyment of human rights.

I look forward to your immediate action on this serious matter.


Yours truly,

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SEND A LETTER TO:
?lt;br />1. Hon. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo
President
Malacanang Palace
J.P. Laurel St., San Miguel
Manila, NCR 1005
PHILIPPINES
Fax: +63 2929 3968

2. Hon. Purificacion Quisumbing
Commissioner
Commission on Human Rights
SAAC Bldg., Commonwealth Avenue
U.P. Complex, Diliman, Quezon City
PHILIPPINES
Fax: +63 2929 0101/928 0848
Email: drpvq@chr.gov.ph

3. Hon. Avelino J. Cruz Jr.
Secretary, 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

4. 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
?lt;br />5. Atty. Paquito Nacino
Regional Director, Commission on Human Rights (CHR VIII)
3rd Floor, R. Yu Salazar Annex Bldg.
Salazar Street, Tacloban City
Philippines
Telefax: +63 053 321 3396

6. Atty. Jocelyn Castillo
Regional Director, Commission on Human Rights
Cordillera Administrative Region
3rd floor SSS Baguio Branch Bldg., Harrison Road
2600 Baguio City
Philippines
Tel. No. +63 074 619 9088/ 074 619 9089
?lt;br />7. Ms. Hina Jilani
Special Representative of the Secretary General for human rights defenders
Att: 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
?lt;br />8. Mr. Philip Alston
Special Rapporteur on Extrajudicial, Summary, or Arbitrary Executions
Atten: Lydie Ventre
Room 3-016, c/o OHCHR-UNOG
1211 Geneva 10
SWITZERLAND
Tel: +41 22 917 9155
Fax: +41 22 917 9006 (general)
E-mail: urgent-action@ohchr.org
?lt;br />?lt;br />Thank you.
?lt;br />Urgent Appeals Desk
AHRC Urgent Appeals Programme

Document Type :
Urgent Appeal Update
Document ID :
UP-29-2005
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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.