Dear friends,
The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) writes with deep concern regarding the continuing targeted killings of human rights defenders and political activists. In August, four persons–two are rehabilitation workers in typhoon affected areas and two are political activists—have been killed in separate incidents.
CASE DETAILS: (Based on the documentation by the Alliance for the Advancement of Peoples Rights (KARAPATAN) and Bulatlat)
CASE 1: Relief worker killed a day before distributing relief to typhoon victims
On 6 August 2014, relief worker Gildegardo Hernandez, was shot dead along Candelaria-San Juan Diversion Road in Candelaria, Quezon province. Hernandez was waiting for a ride when an unknown man on a motorcycle got off, and shot him. The gunman’s companion, who served as his backup, was on another motorcycle. Hernandez fell on the ground. The gunmen fired more shots, hitting Hernandez on the head, chest, and face to make sure he would not survive.
Hernandez was working for the Relief Delivery Operation (RDO) for the survivors of typhoon Glenda. The RDO was scheduled on the following day, August 7, by the Southern Tagalog People Corps (STPC) and Kalipunan ng Samahang Magbubukid ng Timog Katagalugan (KASAMA-TK) in cooperation with the Pamatid- CQ, a local peasant organization led by Hernandez.
CASE 2: Indigenous leader killed for protesting against oil palm plantation
On August 14, Marcel Lambon, a council member of a Lumad organization in Impasug-ong, Bukidnon, in Mindanao, was shot and killed by a member of the Special Civilian Armed Auxiliary (SCAA) under the Army’s 8th Infantry Battalion. Lambon was an active campaigner against the expansion of an oil palm plantation in their town.
Prior to her death, the military has since been frequently “visiting” her home and place of employment, and has been summoned for questioning.
CASE 3: Humanitarian worker killed while distributing farm tools to poor farmers
On 23 August 2014, Jefferson A. Custodio, 25, a member of the Municipal Farmers Association in Carigara (MUFAC) was shot dead at Barangay village in Punong, Carigara, Leyte, by two men riding a motorcycle.
Custodio was in the village distributing farm tools to farmers in the upland village of Carigara. Two men wore ski masks and were riding a motorcycle without a plate number. They shot him in the arm and chest, killing him instantly.
The work of Custodio’s organisation, the MUFAC, has been on the rehabilitation of communities affected by typhoon Yolanda/Haiyan by providing the farmers with shelter materials, seeds and seedlings, and farm tools.
On 2 July, prior to his death, soldiers from the 78th Infantry Battalion and police from the Regional Mobile Group arrived in Capoocan, Leyte, hunting for the members of the MUFAC. The soldiers stationed themselves in the village hall, in the outposts of village watchmen, and in the chapel. They also held meetings with village residents and told them they were prohibited from joining street protests.
CASE 4: Political activist killed in front of his wife, daughter
On 26 August 2014, Librado Adoptante Sr., coordinator for Bayan Muna, in Baao, Camarines Sur, was gunned down by men in ski masks riding a motorcycle. Adoptante was on his way home from his check-up at the hospital, with him was his wife, Gemma and his 12-year-old daughter, Sally.
The gunman stopped Librado on his way home and shot him. Librado fell on the ground and the gunman fired two more shots into his head. Librado died on the spot due to gunshot wounds on his chest and on the head. The police arrived half an hour later with members of village council. They were heard to have said: ‘Ah si Ka MAYON! (Ah, this is Ka Mayon)’ implying they are familiar with the identity of the victim.
Since 2006, members of the 42nd Infantry Battalion-Philippine Army and the Civilian Auxiliary Force Georgraphical Unit (CAFGU) had previously been to the Adoptantes’ home of the looking for Librado. The military wanted Adoptante to “clear his name” as they suspected him as a member of the New People’s Army, a rebel group.
SUGGESTED ACTION:
Please write letters to the concerned authorities listed below expressing your concern about this case.
The AHRC is also writing a separate letter to the Special Rapporteurs on extra-judicial, summary or arbitrary executions, and human right defenders, calling for their intervention in these cases.
To support this case, please click here: SEND APPEAL LETTER
SAMPLE LETTER
Dear………………,
PHILIPPINES: Killing of two rehabilitation workers and two political activists
CASE 1:
Name of killed victim: Gildegardo Hernandez, of Relief Delivery Operation (RDO) for the survivors of typhoon Glenda
Alleged perpetrators: Two unidentified gunmen on a motorcycle
Place and date of incident: 6 August 2014, Candelaria-San Juan Diversion Road, Candelaria, Quezon province
CASE 2:
Name of killed victim: Marcel Lambon, a council member of a Lumad organization in Impasug-ong, Bukidnon
Alleged perpetrators: A member of the Special Civilian Armed Auxiliary (SCAA) under the Army’s 8th Infantry Battalion
Place and date of incident: 14 August 2014, Bukidnon, Mindanao
CASE 3:
Name of killed victim: Jefferson A. Custodio, a member of the Municipal Farmers Association in Carigara (MUFAC)
Alleged perpetrators: Two unidentified gunmen on a motorcycle
Place and date of incident: 23 August 2014, Barangay, Punong, Carigara, Leyte
CASE 4:
Name of killed victim: Librado Adoptante Sr., coordinator for Bayan Muna Partylist political party
Alleged perpetrators: Two unidentified gunmen on a motorcycle
Place and date of incident: 26 August 2014 in Baao, Camarines Sur
I am writing to express my grave concern on what appears as a continuing targeted extrajudicial killing of human rights and political activists. For the month of August, four persons—two are involved in rehabilitation in typhoon affected communities; and the remaining two are either political activist or person opposed against the impact of oil palm plantations in their communities.
First, On 6 August 2014, relief worker Gildegardo Hernandez, was shot dead along Candelaria-San Juan Diversion Road in Candelaria, Quezon province. Hernandez was waiting for a ride when an unknown man on a motorcycle got off, and shot him. The gunman’s companion, who served as his backup, was on another motorcycle. Hernandez fell on the ground. The gunmen fired more shots, hitting Hernandez on the head, chest, and face to make sure he would not survive.
Hernandez was working for the RDO for the survivors of typhoon Glenda. The RDO was scheduled on the following day, August 7, by the Southern Tagalog People Corps (STPC) and Kalipunan ng Samahang Magbubukid ng Timog Katagalugan (KASAMA-TK) in cooperation with the Pamatid- CQ, a local peasant organization led by Hernandez.
Second, on August 14, Marcel Lambon, a council member of a Lumad organization in Impasug-ong, Bukidnon, in Mindanao, was shot and killed by a member of the SCAA under the Army’s 8th Infantry Battalion. Lambon was an active campaigner against the expansion of an oil palm plantation in their town.
Prior to her death, the military has since been frequently “visiting” her home and place of employment, and has been summoned for questioning.
Third, on 23 August 2014, Jefferson A. Custodio, 25, a member of MUFAC was shot dead at Barangay village in Punong, Carigara, Leyte, by two men riding a motorcycle.
Custodio was in the village distributing farm tools to farmers in the upland village of Carigara. Two men wore ski masks and were riding a motorcycle without a plate number. They shot him in the arm and chest, killing him instantly.
The work of Custodio’s organisation, the MUFAC, has been on the rehabilitation of communities affected by typhoon Yolanda/Haiyan by providing the farmers with shelter materials, seeds and seedlings, and farm tools.
On 2 July, prior to his death, soldiers from the 78th Infantry Battalion and police from the Regional Mobile Group arrived in Capoocan, Leyte, hunting for the members of the MUFAC. The soldiers stationed themselves in the village hall, in the outposts of village watchmen, and in the chapel. They also held meetings with village residents and told them they were prohibited from joining street protests.
Fourth, on 26 August 2014, Librado Adoptante Sr., coordinator for Bayan Muna, in Baao, Camarines Sur, was gunned down by men in ski masks riding a motorcycle. Adoptante was on his way home from his check-up at the hospital, with him was his wife, Gemma and his 12-year-old daughter, Sally.
The gunman stopped Librado on his way home and shot him. Librado fell on the ground and the gunman fired two more shots into his head. Librado died on the spot due to gunshot wounds on his chest and on the head. The police arrived half an hour later with members of village council. They were heard to have said: ‘Ah si Ka MAYON! (Ah, this is Ka Mayon)’ implying they are familiar with the identity of the victim.
Since 2006, members of the 42nd Infantry Battalion-Philippine Army and the Civilian Auxiliary Force Georgraphical Unit (CAFGU) had previously been to the Adoptantes’ home of the looking for Librado. The military wanted Adoptante to “clear his name” as they suspected him as a member of the New People’s Army, a rebel group.
I urge you to ensure that impartial and adequate investigations are conducted for these cases, and that the perpetrators are tried for their crimes. Also, make certain that the families of the victims and the witnesses, notably in the case of Adoptante, are afforded adequate security and protection promptly.
I trust that you will take appropriate action in these cases.
Yours sincerely,
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PLEASE SEND YOUR LETTERS TO:
1. Mr. Benigno Aquino III
President
Republic of the Philippines
Malacanang Palace
JP Laurel Street, San Miguel
Manila 1005
PHILIPPINES
Fax: +63 2 736 1010
Tel: +63 2 735 6201 / 564 1451 to 80
2. Ms. Loretta Ann Rosales
Chairperson
Commission on Human Rights
SAAC Bldg., Commonwealth Avenue
U.P. Complex, Diliman
Quezon City
PHILIPPINES
Fax: +63 2 929 0102
Tel: +63 2 928 5655 / 926 6188
E-mail: chair.rosales.chr@gmail.com
3. Police Director Alan LM Purisima
Chief, Philippine National Police
Camp General Rafael Crame
Quezon City
PHILIPPINES
Fax +632 7248763
Email: feedback@pnp.gov.ph
4. Ms. Leila de Lima
Secretary
Department of Justice (DOJ)
DOJ Bldg., Padre Faura
1004 Manila
PHILIPPINES
Fax: +63 2 521 1614
E-mail: soj@doj.gov.ph
5. Atty. Virgilio L. Mendez
Director
NBI Building Taft Avenue,
Ermita, 1000 Manila
PHILIPPINES
E-mail: director@nbi.gov.ph
Fax: +63 2 5256895
Thank you.
Urgent Appeals Programme
Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) (ua@ahrc.asia)
