Dear Friends,
The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) deeply regrets to inform you that two persons belonging to ethnic minority groups were killed in Bukidnon. The victims were gunned down a few meters away from each other. The perpetrators were allegedly members of the Dela Mance paramilitary group.
CASE DETAILS: (Based on the documentation by Katungod Lumad Alert)
On 15 September 2015 at 7 a.m., 30-year-old Obet Pabiana, belonging to the Banwaon tribe and member of Lumad organisation Tagdumahan, was gunned down while crossing a trail in Sitio Balaudo, St. Peters, Malaybalay City, Bukidnon.
Obet sustained two gunshot wounds in his chest and right abdomen. After being shot, Obet tried to run back towards his five companions (names withheld for protection), but fell down. Before Obet died however, he was able to reveal that those who fired at him were Mankolobi Bocalas and Manlumakad Bocalas. Both are allegedly members of the Dela Mance paramilitary group.
On that same day at 1 p.m., 15-year-old Olaking Olinan, together with his brother Mandi Olinan, went to gather abaca fiber in Bayo, Sitio Balaudo, St. Peter, Malaybalay City. Both brothers belonged to the Talaandig tribe.
At around 2 p.m., Mandi heard two successive gunshots. After a few minutes, he checked on his brother and found out that Olaking was lying on the ground, bleeding and lifeless.
He left his brother and ran towards Sitio Balaudo, where he reported the incident to the leaders.
The community leaders decided to retrieve the body the next day. On September 16, at 7 p.m., they found the lifeless body of Olaking beside the abaca fibers he gathered.
When the tribal leaders investigated the place of the incident, they saw footsteps about 10 meters from where Obet was gunned down. They followed the tracks and found it was a few meters from where Olaking was killed.
The killing of Olaking and Obet were strongly believed to have been committed by Mankolobi Bocalas and Manlumakad Bocalas, members of the paramilitary group of Dante dela Mance under the overall command of Romulo “Bonggak” dela Mance.
The Dela Mance group are known to undertake criminal acts such as land grabbing, extortion, and robbery, among others, and are allegedly backed by the Philippine military since 1995 when the group, then headed by Doro Dela Mance, posed as rebel returnees.
SUGGESTED ACTION:
Please write letters to the authorities listed below expressing your concern about this case.
The AHRC is also writing a separate letter to the UN Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary, or arbitrary executions, the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders, and the Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples.
To support this case, please click here: SEND APPEAL LETTER
SAMPLE LETTER
Dear __________,
PHILIPPINES: Two indigenous persons killed in Bukidnon by paramilitary group
Name of the killed victims:
1. Obet Pabiana, 30-years-old, from Banwaon ethnic tribe. He was a member of the Lumad
organisation Tagdumahan.
2. Olaking Olinan, a 15-year-old boy from the Talaandig ethnic tribe.
Alleged Perpetrators: Mankolobi Bocalas and Manlumakad Bocalas.
Date of incident: 15 September 2015 at 7 a.m.
Place of incident: Sitio Balaudo, St. Peters, Malaybalay City, Bukidnon.
I am writing to raise my grave concern on the killing of two people in Bukidnon.
On 15 September 2015, Obet Pabiana was gunned down while he was crossing a trail in Sitio Balaudo, St. Peters, Malaybalay City, Bukidnon. On that same day and place, Olaking Olinan was also gunned down while gathering abaca fibers with his brother.
The tribal leaders who investigated the place of incident saw footsteps 10 meters from where Obet were gunned down and a few meters from where Olaking was found.
I urge you to conduct an impartial and adequate investigation into these two killings of innocent civilians. I further urge you to ensure that the family of the victims must be given adequate protection should they decide to prosecute. Also, please ensure that the perpetrators are held accountable for their actions.
Lastly, I urge you to take action to implement Article 18, section 24 of the 1987 Constitution, regarding the dissolution of all private armies and other armed groups.
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
Email: op@president.gov.ph
2. Mr. Jose Luis Martin Gascon
Chairperson
Commission on Human Rights
SAAC Bldg., Commonwealth Avenue
U.P. Complex, Diliman
Quezon City
PHILIPPINES
Fax: +63 2 929 0102
Email: benedike@gmail.com
3. Police Director Ricardo Marquez
Chief
Philippine National Police (PNP)
Camp General Rafael Crame,
Quezon City
PHILIPPINES
Fax +632 7248763
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
5. Leonor T. Oralde-Quintayo
Chairperson
National Commission on Indigenous Peoples
2/F N. dela Merced Bldg. corner West &
Quezon Ave., Quezon City
Tel: 373-9942
Email: chairpersonoffice@gmail.com
Thank you.
Urgent Appeals Desk
Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) (ua@ahrc.asia)
