Dear Friends,
The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has received further information on the murder of three more persons. In one incident, a father and his son were killed; and in another a sugarcane farmer. The AHRC is concerned by this renewed pattern of targeted attacks on human rights and political activists, and the absence of progress in the investigation of their cases.
UPDATED INFORMATION: (Based on the documentation by Alliance for the Advancement of People’s Rights)
In our appeal on October 17, we mentioned the killing of four persons, two rehabilitation workers and two political activists. These separate incidents took place in August of this year. For details see: AHRC-UAC-138-2014.
In addition to these killings, we have been informed about two more cases; one, the killing of a father and his 15-year-old son; and in another, an activist killed after his colleague was murdered.
CASE 1: Killing of a father and his 15 year-old son
On October 12 at 3am, Rolando Dagansan, 43, and his 15-year-old son, Juda, were coming home from their farm in Kabityan, New Bataan, Compostela Valley. They were attacked by soldiers allegedly attached to the 66th IBPA, under Alpha Company.
The bodies of Rolando and his son, Juda, were disfigured and bore numerous gunshot wounds. Rolando’s arm was severed.
On July 19, prior to Dagansan’s killing, a farmer in another town, Gregorio Galacio Sr., had also been killed. This murder was allegedly carried out by soldiers attached to the same unit in the town of New Bataan, in the same province.
CASE 2: Killing of a sugarcane farmer
On May 28, 2014, Dionisio Garete was on his way to deliver sugarcane to the muscovado mill of the Janiuay-Badiangan Farmers Association (Jabafa). Garete was driving his pick-up truck behind a Jabafa cargo truck driven by a fellow farmer. The truck was loaded with newly-cut sugarcane.
When their convoy reached Barangay (village) Danao, Janiuay, Garete’s vehicle was some 50 meters behind the cargo truck. Eric Nonato, driver of anther cargo truck, heard gunshots and Garete’ horn blasting out. Nonato stopped his truck sensing Garete was in danger.
Aware that the perpetrators may still be on site, Nonato and his companions waited for a few minutes before rushing to help Garete. Garete’s pick-up truck went down a steep slope on the side of the road. He was found in the driver’s seat, barely breathing, but still alive. He was bleeding from injuries to his head and chest. Garete died on the way to the hospital from gunshot wounds to the head. Another bullet went through his chest, puncturing his lungs.
It took Nonato and his companions a few minutes to rescue Garete from the ravine. They brought him to the Janiuay District Hospital.
Dionisio Garete, 57, was a member of farmers’ groups Jabafa and Katilingban sa Mangunguma sa Dabong (Kamada), affiliate organizations of the Panay Fair Trade Center (PFTC). Kamada is an association of small farmers, and a major producer of muscovado sugar sold at the fair trade market through the Panay Fair Trade Center, PFTC.
On March 15, PFTC’s executive director and former political prisoner Romeo Capalla were gunned down in a public market in Oton town, Iloilo.
Prior to his murder, in January 2014, Garete had received a “warning” from a member of the Revolutionary Proletariat Army – Alex Boncayao Brigade (RPA-ABB), allegedly for “being too active on the other side.” A relative reported that suspected RPA-ABB members were tailing Garete. The RPA-ABB is a paramilitary group under the oversight of the Philippine Army.
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 ……………..,
Re: PHILIPPINES: Another killing of three farmers – a father, son, and a sugarcane farmer
CASE 1:
Name of victims killed:
1. Rolando Dagansan, 43
2. Juda, 15-year-old son of Rolando
Alleged perpetrators:
Soldiers attached to the 66th Infantry Battalion, Philippine Army, Alpha Company
Date and place of incident:
At 3am on October 12, in Kabityan, New Bataan, Compostela Valley
CASE 2:
Name of victim killed:
Dionisio Garete, 57, widower, farmer, village councillor of Barangay Aquino-Nobleza West, Janiuay town, Iloilo province, member of the Janiuay-Badiangan Farmers Association (JABAFA) and Katilingban sa Mangunguma sa Dabong (Kamada), an association of small farmers and a major producer of muscovado sugar sold at the fair trade market. Both organizations are affiliates of the Panay Fair Trade Center (PFTC).
Alleged perpetrator:
Members of a paramilitary group, the Revolutionary Proletarian Army-Alex Boncayao Brigade (RPA-ABB) allegedly under the oversight of the Armed Forces of the Philippine Army.
Date and place of incident:
On May 26, 2014, at 9:15am in Barangay (village) Danao, Janiuay town, Iloilo province.
I am writing to express my deep concern with the killing of three more human rights and political activists in separate incidents in your country.
Firstly, on October 12 at 3am, Rolando Dagansan, 43, and his 15-year-old son, Juda, were coming home from their farm in Kabityan, New Bataan, Compostela Valley. They were attacked by soldiers allegedly attached to the 66th IBPA, Alpha Company.
The bodies of Rolando and his son, Juda, were disfigured and bore numerous gunshot wounds. Rolando’s arm was severed.
On July 19, prior to Dagansan’s killing, a farmer in another town, Gregorio Galacio Sr., had also been killed. He was murdered, allegedly, by soldiers attached to the same unit in the town of New Bataan, in the same province.
Secondly, on May 28, 2014, Dionisio Garete was on his way to deliver sugarcane to the muscovado mill of the Janiuay-Badiangan Farmers Association (Jabafa). Garete was driving his pick-up truck behind a Jabafa cargo truck driven by a fellow-farmer. The truck was loaded with newly-cut sugarcane.
When their convoy reached Barangay (village) Danao, Janiuay, Garete’s vehicle was some 50 meters behind the cargo truck. Eric Nonato, driver of anther cargo truck, heard gunshots and Garete’s horn blasting out. Nonato stopped his truck sensing Garete was in danger.
Aware that the perpetrators may still be on site, Nonato and his companions waited for a few minutes before rushing to help Garete. Garete’s pick-up truck went down a steep slope on the side of the road. He was found in the driver’s seat, barely breathing, but still alive. He was bleeding from injuries to his head and chest. Garete died on the way to the hospital from gunshot wounds to the head. Another bullet went through his chest, puncturing his lungs.
It took Nonato and his companions a few minutes to rescue Garete from the ravine. They brought him to the Janiuay District Hospital.
Dionisio Garete, 57, was a member of farmers’ groups Jabafa and Katilingban sa Mangunguma sa Dabong (Kamada), affiliate organizations of the Panay Fair Trade Center (PFTC). Kamada is an association of small farmers, and a major producer of muscovado sugar sold at the fair trade market through the PFTC.
On March 15, PFTC’s executive director and former political prisoner Romeo Capalla were gunned down at a public market in Oton town, Iloilo.
In January 2014, prior to his murder, Garete had received a “warning” from a member of the Revolutionary Proletariat Army – Alex Boncayao Brigade (RPA-ABB), allegedly for “being too active on the other side.” A relative reported that suspected RPA-ABB members were tailing Garete. The RPA-ABB is a paramilitary group under the oversight of the Philippine Army.
I urge you to ensure that an impartial and adequate investigation is conducted into each of these situations, and that the perpetrators are held responsible and tried for their alleged crimes.
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
1005 Manila
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 (CHR)
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
Thank you.
Urgent Appeals Programme
Asian Human Rights Commission (ua@ahrc.asia)
