Dear Friends,
The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) deeply regrets to inform you that three people were killed on March 8, 16 and 24, 2015 respectively. One of the victims was an indigenous member fighting for their ancestral domain. The second victim was a farmer claiming resettlement, and the third was a union leader believed to be killed by agents of the Philippine Air Force. The three cases indicate that impunity continues in the Philippines.
CASE DETAILS: (Based on the documentation by Alliance for the Advancement of Peoples Rights (KARAPATAN))
Case 1: “Indigenous member killed and two others wounded for tilling lands”
On March 24, 2015 at 9am, Tata Baito, a member of the Tribal Indigenous Oppressed Group Association (TINDOGA), a Lumad group in Bukidnon was killed. Security personnel of landlord Pablo “Poling” Lorenzo fired at Baito and wounded two others, Japsem Bagna and Ricky Tumbaga, whose upper bodies were hit by bullets.
The Indigenous group TINDOGA were recognized as legitimate claimants of MONTALVAN Ranch, which occupies part of their ancestral domain. Currently locked in a web of land dispute, the land is claimed by seven other groups.
Lumad groups, including TINDOGA, were holding a “Bungkalan”, where they occupy and collectively till parts of their ancestral lands to assert their claims. Baito, with 200 other Lumads, was on his way to the Bungkalan when about 20-30 armed men and security guards of Pablo Lorenzo opened fired at them. Baito died instantly.
Case 2: “Help me, I was shot, I am dying”
On March 16, 2015, Virgilio Leotorco was found begging for help by a farmer looking for his lost cow in Brgy. Matusalem, Roxas, Isabela. “Tulungan ninyo ako. Nabaril ako. Mamamatay na ako,” (Help me. I was shot. I am dying), Leotorco said in Ilocano. Leotorco was shot thrice. He was near the irrigation canal when the farmer found him. He was out that night to catch frogs. Before the farmer could ask for help to bring Leotorco out from the irrigation canal, Leotorco died. Leotorco is a member of Agbiag Matusalem Roxas Isabela (AMARI), a local group in Matusalem, Isabela fighting for land and housing rights.
Leotorco, 56, was among the 66 settlers fighting for their resettlement in the area claimed by the Isabela State University. On February 28, 2014 another member of AMARI, Romulo dela Cruz was a victim of enforced disappearance. His whereabouts remain unknown.
Case 3: “Labor organizer shot and face crushed”
On March 8, 2015, union organizer of Pagkakaisa ng Manggagawa sa Timog Katagalugan-Kilusang Mayo Uno (PAMANTIK-KMU) Florencio “Ka Bong” Romano was found dead along the side of the National Highway in Brgy. Surosuro Karsada, Batangas City. He was shot and his face was crushed. Romano’s friends and colleagues point to the Philippine Air Force stationed at the Fernando Airbase in Batangas City. Other leaders of progressive organizations have similarly experienced harassments and surveillance from the intelligence service of the Air Force.
According to Cristina Palabay, Secretary General of Alliance for the Advancement of Peoples Rights (KARAPATAN), “These men were killed because of the struggles they advanced [regarding] the right to land and jobs. The bullets were meant to silence them, their colleagues and their communities.”
“Just like in the time of Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, when her administration was threatened with popular calls for resignation, human rights violations soared,” Palabay said. “BS Aquino now also shows the same desperation to keep his power.”
“For the Filipino people this only means one thing: the longer BS Aquino stays as president, the more desperate acts such as killings and rights violations are bound to happen,” Palabay concluded.
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 UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders and on extrajudicial, summary, or arbitrary executions for their immediate intervention.
To support this case, please click here: SEND APPEAL LETTER
SAMPLE LETTER
Dear ……………..,
PHILIPPINES: Three activists killed in separate incidents and two others wounded fighting for their sectoral rights
Case 1:
Name of killed victim: Tata Baito, member of Lumad group, Tribal Indigenous Oppressed Group Association (TINDOGA). He is one of the legitimate claimants of MONTALVAN Ranch, which occupies part of their ancestral domain.
Name of wounded victim:
1. Japsem Bagna
2. Ricky Tumbaga
Both upper bodies were hit by bullets.
Alleged Perpetrators: 20 – 30 Security personnel of landlord Pablo “Poling” Lorenzo
Date of incident: March 24, 2015 at 9am
Place of incident: Montalvan Ranch, Bukidnon
Case 2:
Name of killed victim: Virgilio Leotorco, 56 years old. He is a member of Agbiag Matusalem Roxas Isabela (AMARI), a local group in Matusalem, Isabela fighting for land and housing rights. He is among 66 settlers fighting for their resettlement area claimed by the Isabela State University.
Alleged Perpetrators: unknown
Date of incident: March 16, 2015
Place of incident: Brgy. Matusalem, Roxas, Isabela
Case 3:
Name of killed victim: Florencio “Ka Bong” Romano, union organizer of Pagkakaisa ng Manggagawa sa Timog Katagalugan-Kilusang Mayo Uno (PAMANTIK-KMU)
Alleged Perpetrators: Philippine Air Force, Fernando Air Base, Batangas City
Date of incident: March 8, 2015
Place of incident: Along the side of the National Highway in Brgy. Surosuro Karsada, Batangas City.
I am writing to express my grave concern regarding the killing of three people, Tata Baito, member of the Lumad group, Tribal Indigenous Oppressed Group Association (TINDOGA), Virgilio Leotorco, and Florencio “Ka Bong” Romano, union organizer of Pagkakaisa ng Manggagawa sa Timog Katagalugan-Kilusang Mayo Uno (PAMANTIK-KMU).
Most recently, on March 24, 2015 at 9am, Tata Baito, a member of Tribal Indigenous Oppressed Group Association (TINDOGA), a Lumad group in Bukidnon was killed. Security personnel of landlord Pablo “Poling” Lorenzo fired at Baito and wounded two others, Japsem Bagna and Ricky Tumbaga, whose upper bodies were hit by bullets.
The Indigenous group TINDOGA are recognized as legitimate claimants of MONTALVAN Ranch, which occupies part of their ancestral domain. Currently locked in a web of land dispute, the land is claimed by seven other groups.
Lumad groups, including TINDOGA, were holding a “Bungkalan”, where they occupy and collectively till parts of their ancestral lands to assert their claims. Baito, with 200 other Lumads, was on his way to the Bungkalan when about 20-30 armed men and security guards of Pablo Lorenzo opened fired at them. Baito died instantly.
Earlier, on March 16, 2015, Virgilio Leotorco was found begging for help by a farmer looking for his lost cow in Brgy. Matusalem, Roxas, Isabela, “Tulungan ninyo ako. Nabaril ako. Mamamatay na ako,” (Help me. I was shot. I am dying), Leotorco said in Ilocano. Leotorco was shot thrice. He was near the irrigation canal when the farmer found him. Before the farmer could ask for help to bring Leotorco out from the irrigation canal, Leotorco died. Leotorco is a member of Agbiag Matusalem Roxas Isabela (AMARI), local group in Matusalem, Isabela fighting for land and housing rights.
Leotorco, 56, was among the 66 settlers who are fighting for their resettlement area claimed by the Isabela State University. On February 28, 2014 another member of AMARI, Romulo dela Cruz was a victim of enforced disappearance. His whereabouts remain unknown.
Lastly, on March 8, 2015, union organizer of Pagkakaisa ng Manggagawa sa Timog Katagalugan-Kilusang Mayo Uno (PAMANTIK-KMU) Florencio “Ka Bong” Romano was found dead along the side of the National Highway in Brgy. Surosuro Karsada, Batangas City. He was shot and his face was crushed. Romano’s friends and colleagues point to the Philippine Air Force stationed at the Fernando Airbase in Batangas City. Other leaders of progressive organizations have similarly experienced harassments and surveillance from the intelligence service of the Air Force.
According to Cristina Palabay, Secretary General of Alliance for the Advancement of Peoples Rights (KARAPATAN) “These men were killed because of the struggles they advanced [regarding] the right to land and jobs. The bullets were meant to silence them, their colleagues and their communities.”
“Just like in the time of Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, when her administration was threatened with popular calls for resignation, human rights violations soared,” Palabay said. “BS Aquino now also shows the same desperation to keep his power.”
“For the Filipino people this only means one thing: the longer BS Aquino stays as president, the more desperate acts such as killings and rights violations are bound to happen,” Palabay concluded.
I urge you to ensure that these three incidents are properly investigated, and to ensure that those involved are held responsible without delay. Also, ensure that the witnesses and families of the murdered victims are given adequate protection promptly, should they decide to prosecute. Those who face threats should also be afforded adequate protection and the identities of those involved in making threats must be ascertained.
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
Manila 1005
PHILIPPINES
Fax: +63 2 736 1010
Tel: +63 2 735 6201 / 564 1451 to 80
2. Ms. Loretta Ann Rosales
Commission on Human Rights
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 Deputy Director General Leonardo Espina
Philippine National Police (PNP)
Camp General Rafael Crame
Quezon City
PHILIPPINES
Fax: +63 2724 8763
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 Desk
Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) (ua@ahrc.asia)
