PHILIPPINES: Three mining activists in Zambales have been forcibly disappeared

Dear friends, 

The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) writes to inform you that three mining activists are still missing, months after being seen in the custody of soldiers, after their forcible abduction in March 2010. The victims’ families have been unable to secure their release or pursue effective legal action against the soldiers, due to the fear of witnesses to cooperate. 

CASE NARRATIVE: 

On 9 March 2010 at 9pm five unknown persons armed with pistols reportedly entered the house of the Landingin family in Sitio Matalvis, Barangay (village) Inhobol, Masinloc, while the entire community was in darkness due to an electricity blackout. The perpetrators forcibly took the victims, Ronron Landingin, Jinky Garcia and Daryl Fortuna, to a waiting car. 

Three days later on 12 March the victims’ whereabouts became known among villagers in Barangay Inhobol and Barangay Bamban, Masinloc. Persons fitting their description had been seen in the custody of the 24th Infantry Battalion, Philippine Army (PA) with their hands cuffed during a military operation in the area. It appeared that the three victims were being used as guides by the soldiers. They were easily recognizable as well known community organizers in the area. 

One of the witnesses was able to speak with one of the soldiers on foot patrol, to confirm that the three persons were with them. The army personnel clearly identifiable, in full uniform with the nameplate “ARMY” visible. 

On 15 March 2010 the parents of Ronron were able to speak to him via his mobile phone, and he told them that he believed that the soldiers had taken him to Pangasinan, another province. They were helped at this point by the regional office of the Commission on Human Rights (CHR-III), which has withheld further details of the conversation until their investigation is complete. 

The victims’ relatives were assisted by their colleagues in their organization–DEFEND Zambales and the Kilusan Para sa Pambansang Demokrasya (Movement for National Democracy) in filing the complaint with the CHR. 

Meanwhile the relatives of Jinky Garcia and Daryl Fortuna have been unable to locate the men by going to the headquarters of the 24th Infantry Battalion under the Philippine Army, or to visit the Philippine National Police (PNP). They are also pursuing legal action against the soldiers to help secure the victims’ release. 

Despite having been positively identified by witnesses and villagers alike as directly involved in the victims’ disappearance, Col. Wilfredo Patarata, commander of 24th IBPA, has denied having them in custody. He has nevertheless committed himself to cooperating with the investigation. 

Since 17 April the victims’ organization has been seeking a Writ of Amparo. This is a judicial remedy for persons whose life and security are threatened. The attempts were to lodge this on behalf of the three victims after two witnesses had initially expressed their willingness to testify. Yet since then the witnesses have expressed concern for their safety and have been reluctant to cooperate. 

In March 2010 Ronron’s parents said that they currently withdraw from their pursuit of the case due to feelings of insecurity; they have gone into hiding with their families. 

BACKGROUND OF THE VICTIMS: 

At the time of the incident, the three were active in organizing communities, particularly in the northern part of Zambales province. The main issue was the adverse effects of mining on the environment, and the health of the local people. They had been deeply involved in collecting data and information about the effects of mining. They also tried to increase awareness among the villagers by organizing the communities to collectively oppose it. 

When the three were abducted, the DEFEND Zambales, the organization to which the victims were attached, was at the height of their anti-mining campaign. It had begun in February 2010. The organization had members from different section groups, from the church and from academia, and had been involved in three major campaigns: against mining, militarization and the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant. 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: 

The AHRC has documented the illegal arrest, torture and threats to human rights defenders who campaign against mining, militarization and the government’s plan to resume operation of the nuclear plant in these areas. All of them are colleagues of the victims who have disappeared. 

Take the case of three human rights activists, Rafael Limcumpao, Domingo Alcantara and Archie Bathan who were illegally arrested, tortured and laid with fabricated charges following their arrest on June 2009. They were campaigning against the possible renewed operation of the nuclear power plant in Bataan (UAC-056-2009). 

One month later in July 2009 another three of their companions, Aurora Broquil, Emily Fajardo and Francisco Honra also received threatening messages on their mobile phones. Like their companions, they were also involved in campaigning against the nuclear power plant. (UAC-072-2009) 

SUGGESTED ACTION: 

Please write letters to the authorities listed below requesting their intervention in securing the safe release of the missing activists. The soldiers involved in this case should also be subjected to a thorough investigation. 

The AHRC has also written letters to the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders and has informed the Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances. 

To support this case, please click here: SEND APPEAL LETTER