PHILIPPINES: Another four activists face threats in General Santos City 

PHILIPPINES: Threats against human rights and political activists; inaction by authorities to ensure their security and protection; inadequate police investigation; violence against women; complete collapse of rule of law
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Dear friends,

The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) writes with deep concern regarding the safety of another four activists who have received threats from unknown persons in General Santos City, Mindanao. On July 5, activists Shamroud Adulaziz, Blanche Yamba, Bill Andres and Juvy Hornales received threats via SMS (short message service) messages one after another. The message read: “MGA SUPPORTERS NG CPP-NPA-NDF MALAPIT NA MTPOS ANG ARAW NYO – AralSaMasa” (Supporters of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New Peoples Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) your days are numbered- AralSaMasa). The sender’s author was purportedly “AralSaMasa” whose number also appears to be +63 9066677136.

The four are all spokespersons working for a human rights organization, the youth sector and a political party in provinces of South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani and General Santos City or (SocSkSarGen), all in Mindanao. Adulaziz is the spokesperson for Karapatan (Alliance for the Advancement of Peoples Rights), Yamba for Gabriela Party list, Andres for Bayan (Bagong Alyansang Makabayan) and Hornales for Anak Bayan.

Prior to the incident, on July 4, a local tabloid newspaper in General Santos City published a news story quoting an intelligence report regarding an alleged emergence of a “death squad” who are reportedly plotting to kill seven leaders of the progressive organisations. It was not known who the source of the story was and a by-line was not provided. All the four, however, are attached to organisations that are reported to have been plotted against.

It was also learned that AralSaMasa sent similar SMS messages to activists George and Maricel Vigo (husband and wife) two weeks before they were killed on June 19. The Vigos were riding on a motorcycle in Barangay (village) Singao, Kidapawan City when attacked by two gunmen riding on a motorcycle (Please see our previous appeal: UA-205-2006). The existence of AralSaMasa or the “death squads” have yet to be investigated.

The four activists had already approached General Santos City Mayor Pedro Acharon Jr. and City Council Eduardo Leyson III, chairman of the City Council’s Committee on Peace and Order, requesting their appropriate intervention. Their interventions, if there would be any, have yet to materialise. On July 11, three of the four activists meet Acharon for a dialogue. Despite days having past, no credible investigations have been conducted so far into the threats, existence of AralSaMasa and the reported “death squad”.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

The AHRC has reported on a number of activists who are facing serious threats. What is common amongst them is the failure and inaction of the authorities, in particular the police, to ensure their safety and security. Those facing threats have not received any protection that often led to their deaths. When the police do investigate case, the results are often inconclusive and those responsible remain unknown.

Take the case of labour leader Vicente Barrios of Compostela town, Compostela Valley. On June 10, at around 9:30pm an armed man wearing a bonnet forcibly entered his house. The perpetrator, however, said nothing and soon after left. A month after the incident no reports that he and his family were afforded with protection. The perpetrators likewise remain unknown (Please see our previous appeal: UA-191-2006).

No conclusive findings were also reached in the threats made on human rights lawyer Jobert Pahilga and activist Ms. Marissa Dumanjug-Palo. On June 2, Pahilga reported that two men riding on a motorcycle pursued him. On May 31, activist Dumanjug-Palo also noticed four men riding on two motorcycles apparently following her while riding in a taxicab in Quezon City (Please see our previous appeal: UA-178-2006). Those persons reportedly following them have remained unknown.

In another case, those who made threats to Reverend Renato Respicio of the Iglesia Filipina Independiente (IFI) of Nueva Ecija also remain unknown. Respicio was reported to have received death threats written on a piece of paper during Sunday masses on May 26 (Please see our previous appeal: UA-175-2006). This is similar to the case of Fr. Rolando de Leon of San Andres Apostol Parish, Norzagaray, Bulacan who also received threats on 30 October 2005. Although police investigated the case, they were not able to identify those who made threats to him (Please see our previous appeals on this: UA-219-2005). Respicio and De Leon likewise have not been afforded any protection.

The authorities have likewise failed to provide security and protection to three activists in Baguio City. The activists, namely Windel Bolinget, Joan Carling and Manny Loste have likewise not received any protection despite serious threats on their lives. The threats reportedly began in October 2005 (For details of the case: UA-067-2006). One of their colleagues, Markus Bangit, has already died after he was attacked on 8 June 2006 at a stopover restaurant in Echague, Isabela (Please our previous appeal: UA-191-2006).

The colleagues of slain activists Cathy Alcantara of Abucay, Bataan, who had been receiving threats and was spied upon by armed men, was killed without having received any protection from the concerned authorities. On 5 December 2005, Alcantara was killed (please see: UP-160-2005), two of her colleagues have also been killed in separate attacks. They were activists Audie Lucero who was found dead in Abucay, Bataan on 13 February 2006 (UA-078-2006) and Annaliza Abanador-Gandia of Balanga City who was killed on 18 May 2006 (UP-111-2006).

SUGGESTED ACTION:
Please write letters to the concerned agencies requesting their intervention to ensure the safety and security of these four activists facing threats without delay. An effective investigation must be conducted to identify those who made the threats. Considering the seriousness of the report, it must also be look into why the concerned authorities are failed to inform them or not providing immediate protection, if indeed the report of a plot against them is true. They must give explanation as why they failed to take appropriate action.

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