Dear Friends,
The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) deeply regrets to inform you of the killing of a peasant leader in Compostela Valley. The victim and his organization were actively campaigning against mining activities in the province. The killing was allegedly perpetrated by elements from the 46th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army (IBPA).
CASE NARRATIVE:
Based on the documentation by the Alliance for the Advancement of People’s Rights (KARAPATAN) and Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP)
On 20 March 2018, Agudo Quillio, 52, was in his kitchen preparing for their dinner, when three assailants forcibly entered the house. Agudo was immediately shot multiple times in his chest resulting in his immediate death.
Agudo, a resident of Purok Gemilina, Sitio Lawaan, Barangay Kingking, Pantukan in Compostela Valley and the chairperson of Hugpong sa mga Mag-uuma sa Pantukan (HUMAPAN) was shot dead by armed elements under the 46th Infantry Battalion Philippine Army (IBPA).
According to Antonio Flores, Secretary General of Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) elements from 46th Infantry Battalion have killed many farmers in Compostela Valley, including peasant leader Jimmy Saypan in September 2016, and elderly couple Leonila Tapasan-Pesadilla, and Ramon Pesadilla in March 2017. More than 20 farmers and peasant leaders from Compostela Valley were killed since 2016, all staunch anti-mining activists. Saypan and the Pesadillas were active in the campaign against the entry and exploration of Agusan Petroleum and Mineral Corporation in their town in Ngan, Compostela covering 2, 400 hectares.
Agudo and his organization HUMAPAN are strongly opposing the operation of Canadian mining firm St. Augustine Gold and Copper Limited and the $2-billion Kingking Mining Project in Pantukan. Agudo was also an active supporter of the ARB One Movement, an organization of agrarian reform beneficiaries in the region in their struggle for genuine agrarian reform and free land distribution.
HUMAPAN is a municipal peasant organization in Pantukan town under the provincial peasant organization, Hugpong sa mga Mag-uuma sa Walog Compostela (HUMAWAC), an affiliate organization of Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP)-Southern Mindanao Region.
Additional Information:
Mining companies are thriving in Compostela Valley. It is home to Mt. Diwalwal, also known as Mt. Diwata, an area considered to have among the richest gold deposits in the Philippines.
There are at least 13 mining applications covering 55, 883 hectares of land in Davao region which were previously endorsed by the Mines and Geosciences Bureau Region XI to the DENR central office.
SUGGESTED ACTION:
Please write letters to the authorities listed below expressing your concern about the case.
The AHRC is writing a separate letter to the UN Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions and Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders.
To support this case, please click here: SEND APPEAL LETTER
SAMPLE LETTER
Dear ___________,
PHILIPPINES: Peasant leader killed for campaigning against mining
Name of killed victim: Agudo Quillio,52, resident of Purok Gemilina, Sitio Lawaan, Barangay Kingking, Pantukan in Compostela Valley. He is the chairperson of Hugpong sa mga Mag-uuma sa Pantukan (HUMAPAN). He is also an active supporter of the ARB One Movement.
Names of alleged perpetrators: Allegedly armed elements under the 46th Infantry Battalion
Date of incident: 20 March 2018
Place of incident: Inside his residence at Purok Gemilina, Sitio Lawaan, Barangay Kingking, Pantukan in Compostela Valley.
I am writing to voice my deep concern regarding the killing of a peasant leader.
On 20 March 2018, Agudo Quillio, 52, was in his kitchen preparing for their dinner, when three assailants forcibly entered the house. Agudo was immediately shot multiple times in his chest resulting in his immediate death.
Agudo, a resident of Purok Gemilina, Sitio Lawaan, Barangay Kingking, Pantukan in Compostela Valley and the chairperson of Hugpong sa mga Mag-uuma sa Pantukan (HUMAPAN) was shot dead by armed elements under the 46th Infantry Battalion Philippine Army (IBPA).
According to Antonio Flores, Secretary General of Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) elements from 46th Infantry Battalion have killed many farmers in Compostela Valley, including peasant leader Jimmy Saypan in September 2016, and elderly couple Leonila Tapasan-Pesadilla, and Ramon Pesadilla in March 2017. More than 20 farmers and peasant leaders from Compostela Valley were killed since 2016, all staunch anti-mining activists. Saypan and the Pesadillas were active in the campaign against the entry and exploration of Agusan Petroleum and Mineral Corporation in their town in Ngan, Compostela covering 2, 400 hectares.
I learned that Agudo and his organization HUMAPAN are strongly opposing the operation of Canadian mining firm St. Augustine Gold and Copper Limited and the $2-billion Kingking Mining Project in Pantukan. Agudo was also an active supporter of the ARB One Movement, an organization of agrarian reform beneficiaries in the region in their struggle for genuine agrarian reform and free land distribution.
HUMAPAN is a municipal peasant organization in Pantukan town under the provincial peasant organization, Hugpong sa mga Mag-uuma sa Walog Compostela (HUMAWAC), an affiliate organization of Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP)-Southern Mindanao Region.
I urge you to conduct a prompt and effective investigation into the killing and serve justice without delay. I urge you to ensure that those involved are held responsible. Lastly, the witnesses and families of the murdered victim must be given adequate protection promptly, should they decide to prosecute.
I trust that you will take appropriate action in this.
Yours Sincerely,
……………….
PLEASE SEND YOUR LETTERS TO:
1. Mr. Rodrigo Duterte
President
Malacañang Palace,
JP Laurel St., San Miguel
Manila, 1005
Philippines
Fax: (+632) 742-1641 / 929-3968
E-mail: op-proper@gov.ph
2. Mr. Menardo Guevarra
Secretary
Department of Justice
Padre Faura St., Manila, 1004
Philippines
Fax: (+632) 521-1614
Email: communications@doj.gov.ph
3. Mr. Jose Luis Martin Gascon
Chairperson
Commission on Human Rights
SAAC Bldg., UP Complex, Commonwealth Avenue
Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines
Fax: (+632) 929 0102
Email: chairgascon.chr@gmail.com
Thank you.
Urgent Appeals Programme
Asian Human Rights Commission (ua@ahrc.asia)
