Dear friends,
The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has received updated information from the Center for Trade Union and Human Rights (CTUHR) stating that labour leader Rogelio Concepcion, who was reported missing, is now confirmed to have been forcibly abducted and disappeared on 6 March 2006. His whereabouts remain unknown and his relatives fear that he may already be dead. Please see our previous appeal: UA-087-2006.
According to witnesses, Concepcion was forcibly abducted by men riding on a motorcycle while on his way home about 50 meters from the factory of Solid Development Corporation (SDC) where he works. Concepcions fellow workers were frightened and scampered for safety upon seeing the armed men seizing him. Concepcion has not been seen since.
Concepcions wife Marissa now fears that her husband may have already been killed. On March 16, a dead body of an unidentified man was found with his fingernails ripped-off near their village. The authorities, however, have yet to identify whether it belongs to Concepcion or not. The delay in identifying the body has only led to further trauma and depression experienced by Marissa.
Although there are potential witnesses, none have shown any interest in cooperating with the authorities, in particular the local policemen, in the investigation fearing for their life. Concepcion was the officer-in-charge of the Solid Development Corporation Workers Association (SDCWA), the labour union of workers working at the factory. His abduction is believed to have been prompted by the struggle of the workers union inside the factory.
According to the information received, the workers company, the Solid Development Corporation (SDC), is scheduled to close due to bankruptcy by the end of March 2006. The laborers, however, were pressing for the company to acknowledge their labour union and to negotiate with them. Most of the workers who are also union members, including Concepcion, are due to finish their employment with the company.
SUGGESTED ACTION:
Please write letters to agencies listed below requesting them to exhaust all means to investigate the forcible abduction and disappearance of Rogelio Concepcion. The witnesses to the incident must be afforded with appropriate protection once they decide to testify to ensure the effectiveness of the investigation and their security and welfare. The victims wife Marissa must also be afforded with appropriate security and trauma counseling to help in her emotional and mental recovery.
To support this case, please click here: SEND APPEAL LETTER
SAMPLE LETTER
Dear __________,
PHILIPPINES: Missing labour leader abducted and feared dead
Name of victim: Rogelio Concepcion (36), officer-in-charge of the labour union Solid Development Corporation Workers Association (SDCWA)
Name of alleged perpetrators: Armed men riding on a motorcycle
Place of incident: Barangay (village) Mataas na Parang, San Ildefonso, Bulacan
Date of incident: 6 March 2006
I am writing to draw your attention to the case of Rogelio Concepcion. According to the latest information I have received, Concepcion was forcibly abducted by armed men riding on a motorcycle and subsequently disappeared on 6 March 2006; the day he was first reported missing by his wife Marissa. I have learned that Concepcions fellow workers saw him being seized by his abductors.
Concepcion was on his way home after coming out from the factory of Solid Development Corporation (SDC), a thread manufacturing company where he was working when the incident took place. The victims fellow workers were frightened and scampered for safety upon seeing Concepcion being seized. The place was only 50 meters away from the gate of the factory.
I am deeply concerned that an investigation into this matter may not be effective and will not lead to conclusive findings due to the unwillingness of potential witnesses to testify. I have learned that witnesses are reluctant to cooperate for fear of their life and safety. I therefore urge you to ensure that they are afforded with protection and security in accordance with the “Witness Protection, Security and Benefit Act (RA 6981)”. This is essential in identifying and prosecuting the perpetrators.
Concepcions has had a profound effect on his wife Marissa. I therefore urge your intervention to ensure that Marissa is afforded with proper counseling to help her recover from the emotional and mental stress of this incident. Likewise, I also request you to afford her with adequate security and protection without delay should there be any threats on her life.
Furthermore, I request you to have the elements of the 24th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army properly investigated to answer to the allegations of their possible involvement in the victims disappearance. I am aware that prior to the incident, the military unit concerned had allegedly harassed and intimidated union leaders and workers, including Concepcion. I am unaware of any investigation conducted regarding this matter.
I trust that you will take action in this case.
Yours sincerely,
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PLEASE SEND YOUR 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
Office of the 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
Fax: +63 2 926 8747
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. Gen. Generoso Senga
Chief of Staff
Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP)
AFP-GHQ Offices, Camp Gen Emilio Aguinaldo
Quezon City
PHILIPPINES
5. Mrs. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo
President
Republic of the Philippines
Malacanang Palace
JP Laurel Street, San Miguel
Manila 1005
PHILIPPINES
Tel: +63 2 735 6201 / 564 1451 to 80
Fax: +63 2 736 1010
6. Mr. Stephen J. Toope
Chairperson
UN Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances
C/o OHCHR-UNOG
1211 Geneva 10
SWITZERLAND
Fax: +41 22 917 9006
E-mail: urgent-action@ohchr.org
7. International Labour Office
4, route des Morillons
CH-1211 Geneva 22
SWITZERLAND
Tel: +41 22 799 6111
Fax: +41 22 798 8685
E-mail: ilo@ilo.org
ILO Regional Office for Asia & the Pacific in Bangkok (ASIE)
+66 2 288 17 10 Regional Director
+66.2.288.30.56: Director (for urgent matters only)
Email ad: bangkok@ilo.org
Thank you.
Urgent Appeals Programme
Asian Human Rights Commission (ahrchk@ahrchk.org)
