Dear Friends,
The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) deeply regrets to inform you that a local peasant leader in Bukidnon was shot dead by two armed men. He and his colleague were aboard a motorcycle and on their way to a village. The victims were actively involved in helping peasants in different villages of the area.
CASE DETAILS: (Based on the documentation by Alliance for the Advancement of Peoples Rights –KARAPATA-)
On 5 February 2014, Julieto Lauron was driving a motorcycle and accompanied by Nermie Lapatis. They were on their way to the village of Hindangon, Valencia City, when two unidentified men riding a red motorcycle overtook them, blocked their way and immediately opened fire on Lauron and Lapatis.
Lauron was struck on the neck, chest and stomach and died on the spot while Lapatis was hit in her right knee. The assailants quickly escaped.
A few days earlier, Lauron was elected Chairperson of Kahugpungan sa mga Mag-uuma (KASAMA or Association of Farmers)-Vintar Chapter, Valencia City, a local chapter of the farmers association. The assembly was also attended by Lapatis and several other officials of Kasama-Valencia. At the assembly two unidentified men were seen taking pictures of the participants.
At the time of writing, Lapatis remains at a hospital in Valencia City and is scheduled for surgery on her knee.
Lapatis and her family had moved in to Valencia City from Magkalungay village in San Fernando town, Bukidnon because of threats to her life. She was an organiser among the indigenous peoples in Bukidnon. She actively campaigned against the entry of large-scale mining companies in the town. Her pro-people activities earned the ire of the military and paramilitary groups. She reported several incidents of harassment by the paramilitary group New Indigenous People’s Army for Reform (NIPAR); and the 8th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army.
In Valencia, Lapatis continued her work helping several farmers in the different villages as secretary of Kasama – Valencia City chapter.
In October 2012, Kasama-Valencia and Kasama-Bukidnon launched a successful campaign for the increase of daily wages of farm workers – from the daily wage of PhP 125 per day to PhP 150 to 200.
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 human rights defenders and Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions.
To support this case, please click here: SEND APPEAL LETTER
SAMPLE LETTER
Dear __________,
PHILIPPINES: Another peasant leader shot dead in Bukidnon
Name of killed victim:
Julieto Lauron, 41 years old, married with 4 children. He was the Chairperson of Kahugpungan sa mga Mag-uuma (KASAMA or Association of Farmers)-Vintar Chapter, Valencia City. He sustained wounds to his neck, chest and stomach.
Name of wounded victim:
Nermie Lapatis, 41 years old, married. She is a member of the Higaonon indigenous people’s tribe. She is the Secretary of Kahugpungan sa mga Mag-uuma (KASAMA or Association of Farmers) – Vintar, Valencia City Chapter. She sustained wounds in her right knee. Lapatis remains at a hospital in Valencia City and is scheduled for surgery on her knee.
Alleged Perpetrators: Two armed unidentified men riding a red motorcycle
Date of incident: 05 February 2014
Place of incident: Juanilla Village, Poblacion, Valencia City, Bukidnon
I am writing to raise my grave concern regarding the case of Julieto Lauron and Nermie Lapatis. On 5 February 2014, Julieto Lauron was driving a motorcycle and accompanied by Nermie Lapatis. They were on their way to the village of Hindangon, Valencia City, when two unidentified men riding a red motorcycle overtook them, blocked their way and immediately opened fire on Lauron and Lapatis.
Lauron was struck on the neck, chest and stomach and died on the spot while Lapatis was hit in her right knee. The assailants quickly escaped.
A few days earlier, Lauron was elected Chairperson of Kahugpungan sa mga Mag-uuma (KASAMA or Association of Farmers)-Vintar Chapter, Valencia City, a local chapter of the farmers association. The assembly was also attended by Lapatis and several other officials of Kasama-Valencia. At the assembly two unidentified men were seen taking pictures of the participants.
As I write this, Lapatis remains at a hospital in Valencia City and is scheduled for surgery on her knee.
I learned that Lapatis and her family had moved in to Valencia City from Magkalungay village in San Fernando town, Bukidnon because of threats to her life. She was an organiser among the indigenous peoples in Bukidnon. She actively campaigned against the entry of large-scale mining companies in the town. Her pro-people activities earned the ire of the military and paramilitary groups. She reported several incidents of harassment by the paramilitary group New Indigenous People’s Army for Reform (NIPAR); and the 8th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army.
In Valencia, Lapatis continued her work helping several farmers in the different villages as secretary of Kasama – Valencia City chapter.
In October 2012, Kasama-Valencia and Kasama-Bukidnon launched a successful campaign for the increase of daily wages of farm workers – from the daily wage of PhP 125 per day to PhP 150 to 200.
I urge you to investigate Julieto’s murder thoroughly and effectively. Also, ensure that the survivor is given adequate medical attention and the victim and the families should be afforded adequate security and protection promptly.
I trust that you will take appropriate action in this.
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 Director Alan LM Purisima
Chief, Philippine National Police
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
Thank you.
Urgent Appeals Desk
Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) (ua@ahrc.asia)
