UPDATE (Philippines): Labour leader who survives an earlier attempt on his life is killed

Dear friends,

The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) is shocked to learn that a labour leader who survived an earlier attempt on his life in April 2006 was shot dead this morning, March 10. Gerardo Cristobal (a.k.a. Gerry) was driving his vehicle when armed men riding in another vehicle open fired at him soon after chasing him. He suffered several fatal gunshot wounds which killed him instantly. Gerardo, an organizer of labour unions in Cavite, South of Manila, had been facing continuing threats since surviving the 2006 incident.

CASE DETAILS: (according to information received from Center for Trade Union and Human Rights (CTUHR))

As described in our previous appeal (UA-142-2006; UP-098-2006), labour activist Gerardo Cristobal (a.k.a. Gerry) survived an earlier attempt on his life on 28 April 2006 by gunmen later identified as a policeman and members of the security forces. Gerardo had since been actively involved in organizing labour unions in Cavite, South of Manila and his involvement in this work lead to the continuing threats to his life.[His photo taken in 2006]

At around 8am this morning, Gerardo was driving his car from his house in Barangay (village) Malagasang II, Imus, Cavite when armed men riding in another vehicle chased him and subsequently open fired at him as they chased him towards a crowded place in the said municipality.

It is reported that the Scene of the Crime Operatives (Soco), who are supposed to conduct an onsite investigation, allegedly asked a local funeral home in Dasmarinas to collect Gerardo’s body instead of conducting an investigation at the crime scene. Gerardo’s body was later transferred to another funeral home. As of yet, the complete details regarding Gerardo’s have not been made available.

In April 2006, Gerardo survived an attempt on his life after having exchanged fire with his attackers who were later identified as Senior Police Office 1 (SP01) Romeo Lara, a member of police’ intelligence unit in Imus, Cavite and his companion, Larry Reyes, a member of the Civil Security Unit (CSU) of the same municipality. Gerardo at the time had to carry his own licensed firearm for protection due to continuing threats against him.

At the time, Gerardo suffered multiple gunshots wound but later recovered after receiving medical treatment. After the ambush, the local police claimed instead that it was Gerardo who had ambushed the police and security forces, and subsequently filed charges of frustrated murder against him. This, however, was contrary to Gerardo’s version of story.

Eight months later, December 2006, Gerardo’s colleague, Jesus Servida (a.k.a. Buth) was also shot dead in front of the factory where they help organizing unions. Two other workers, Joel Sale and Kenny Mari Severo, were also wounded during the shooting. For further information please read: UA-399-2006. None of the perpetrators in this case have so far been identified, arrested and prosecuted for the murder.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS:

The murder of Gerardo Cristobal demonstrates the severity of the security problem and the lack of safety of activists. In Gerardo’s case, apart from having no choice but to carry his own firearms for protection, there has not been any known action or arrangement afforded to him that he be afforded with security for his safety by the authorities.

In the Philippines, policemen are seen as adversaries by the activists for having been involved in carrying attempts on their lives and for their inaction into affording them any form of protection. Gerardo’s death is a case in point. Often, when an activist faces and receives threats to his or herself, going to police station and concerned authorities is not an option. They rather take upon themselves any arrangement for protection. There are also cases where a person facing threats refuses to divulge his plight to his anyone.

This, however, has been proven fatal in most cases involving killings of activists. In May 2006, activist Elena Mendiola (a.k.a. Baby) was also shot dead after having been survived an earlier attempt on her life. For details please read: UP-106-2006.

The AHRC has in recent times has expressed serious concerns over the continuing violence and the lack of protection to activists facing threats in the Philippines.

AHRC-STM-016-2008: PHILIPPINES: KILLINGS – Two more killings: a priest and a judge – a symptom of lawlessness

AHRC-STM-014-2008: PHILIPPINES: KILLINGS – Why can’t security forces act without being asked?

AHRC-STM-009-2008: PHILIPPINES: KILLINGS – Claims of police efficiency at odds with reality

AHRC-STM-007-2008: PHILIPPINES: Killings leave deeply entrenched fear and distrust

SUGGESTED ACTION:
Please write letters to the concerned authorities demanding their immediate attention into the killing of Gerardo Cristobal. An inquiry must be conducted as to who is responsible for his death and why the authorities have failed to afford him adequate protection. Those involved in the previous attempt on his life, in particular the police, must also be investigated to establish whether or not they have any involvement in his murder.

The AHRC writes letter to the UN Special Rapporteur on Extrajudicial, Summary, or Arbitrary Executions and Special Representative of the Secretary General for human rights defenders calling for interventions in this matter.

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