Dear friends,
The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) is forwarding to you an appeal from the Task Force Detainees of the Philippines (TFDP) – Luzon, regarding the massive displacement of villagers in San Jose del Monte, Bulacan since 28 February 2006.
The TFDP reported that one hundred villagers living at the Towerville Subdivision, a government housing project, were forced to leave their homes out of fear when soldiers started deploying troops in the area. The militarys deployment is reportedly a counter-insurgency measure against communist rebels.
Prior to the incident, the soldiers were reportedly conducting meetings and house-to-house campaigns amongst the villagers questioning the activities of communist supporters in the area. They also exposed the names of some activists and villagers alleged to have involvement with the communist rebels. This caused considerable tension within the village.
Should your have any further questions, please contact the TFDP-Luzon.
Urgent Appeals Prorgramme
Asian Human Rights Commission
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URGENT ACTION
Task Force Detainees of the Philippines (TFDP)-Luzon
45 St. Mary St., Cubao, Quezon City, Philippines
website: www.tfdp.org
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Military deployment in Bulacan displaces 100 civilians
Following the lifting of Proclamation No. 1017, putting the country in a state of national emergency, about one hundred civilians from a government housing resettlement area in San Jose del Monte, Bulacan, were forced to leave their homes after Army soldiers started to deploy in the area identified as lair of suspected activists and supporters of New Peoples Army (NPA). They have evacuated for fear of being caught and arrested in the government counter-insurgency operations in the said area.
On February 28, 2006, members of the Armys 56th Infantry Battalion went house-to-house and told the residents of Phase 4, Towerville Subdivision to gather at the main village outpost for a meeting. Some 100 residents attended the said meeting, according to report, Army soldiers surrounded the area where the meeting was being held which was followed by a deployment of a military tank. The meeting started with the showing of a documentary, Kilalanin ang Kaaway (Know Your Enemy), which looked into the communist movement in the country and on the alleged coup plotters and communist members.
According to reports, an unidentified female soldier told the residents that they gathered evidences showing the presence of activists and NPA members in the area. Some of the names of persons are in the so-called order of battle that soldiers viewed and suspected as NPA members and supporters.
On February 29, Army soldiers put up a check point and detachment in the area and curfew hours have been imposed. The TFDP learned that Army soldiers went house-to-house and started asking the residents about the names of persons joining rallies and demonstrations from their area. The residents now live in fear. The situation in the Towerville Subdivision indicates that though Proclamation No. 1017 was already lifted the war of attrition and attacks on suspected political dissenters and progressive organizations continues.
Action requested
Please write letters to express your concern about the on-going military counter-insurgency operations in Bulacan. In your letters, please draw attention to the plight and condition of residents in Towerville Subdivision, San Jose del Monte, Bulacan. Please send letters in English or in your own language:
– asking the Office of the Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita, and the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace Process (OPAPP) to urge President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo for the cessation of military counter-insurgency operations in Bulacan;
– expressing concern on the continuing military operations in the areas which resulted to displacement of more than 100 civilians and urging the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) to conduct investigation on the incident;
– urging the Office of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to provide immediate relief assistance and rehabilitation to the victims;
– expressing concern to the victims of internal armed conflict in particular civilians must be treated in accordance with international human rights standards.
Send letters to:
1. Her Excellency Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, President
Republic of the Philippines
Malacañang Palace
J.P. Laurel St., San Miguel, Manila
Telephone: (+632) 564 1451 to 80
Fax: (+632) 742 1641 / 929 3968
Email: corres@op.gov.ph / opnet@ops.gov.ph
2. Executive Secretary Eduardo R. Ermita
Office of the Executive Secretary
2nd Floor Mabini Hall, Malacañang Palace
J.P. Laurel Street, San Miguel, Manila 1105
Premiere Guest House
Telephone: (+632) 736 1076; 736 5359
3. Secretary Jesus Dureza
Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process
Office of the President
7th Floor Agustin Building I
Emerald Avenue, Pasig City, Philippines
Voice: (+632) 636 0701 to 0766
Fax: (+632) 638 2216
Email: stgd@opapp.gov.ph, gpnp_cnn@opapp.gov.ph,
ere_papp@compass.com.ph
4. Secretary Lualhati Pablo
Department of Social Welfare and Development
DSWD Bldg., Constitution Hills, Batasan Complex,
Quezon City, Philippines
Telephone: (+632) 931 8101 to 931 8107
5. Secretary Avelino J. Cruz, Jr.
Department of National Defense
Camp General Emilio F. Aguinaldo
E. delos Santos Avenue
Quezon City, Philippines 1110
Voice: (+632) 912 9281
Fax: (+632) 911 6213
Send copies to:
Hon. Purificacion Valera Quisumbing
Chairperson, Commission on Human Rights
SAAC Bldg., UP Complex
Commonwealth Avenue, Diliman,
Quezon City, Philippines
Fax: (+632) 929 0102
Email: drpvq@chr.gov.ph
and to diplomatic representatives of the Philippines
in your country.
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Thank you.
Urgent Appeals Programme
Asian Human Rights Commission (ahrchk@ahrchk.org)
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