Dear Friends,
The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) deeply regrets to inform you about the killing of two women activists in separate incidents, and the harassment of the urban poor office. One of the women actively opposed large scale mining in Agusan Del Sur, while the second formerly led a local women’s group in Aurora province. The third incident involved the harassment of urban poor leaders in Malabon City.
CASE NARRATIVE:
Based on the documentation by the Alliance for the Advancement of People’s Rights (KARAPATAN)
CASE 1: “Anti-mining activist killed”
On 27 May 2018, at around 12 noon, Beverly Geronimo, 27, was on her way back home in Brgy. Salvacion, Trento, Agusan Del Sur when two unnamed men in civilian clothes fired at her. Beverly was with her daughter and two relatives when she was shot. She sustained seven gunshot wounds, one in the head, causing her immediate death. Her daughter and relatives survived.
Beverly is a member of the Tabing Guangan Farmers Association and an anti-mining activist. She was also a member of the Parents Teachers Community Association (PTCA) of the Mindanao Interfaith Services Foundation Inc. (MISFI) Academy, where her daughter is a student.
Prior to the killing, Beverly experienced threats and harassment from soldiers under 25th, 66th, 67th, and 75th Infantry Battalions of the Philippine Army. The military has been encamped in their community since 2009. Beverly actively opposed large scale mining companies such as OZ Metals and Agusan Petroleum.
CASE 2: “Former leader of women group killed”
Also on 27 May 2018, Carolina Lana, 62, was in her store in Brgy. Dianawan, Maria Aurora, Aurora Province when two unnamed men onboard a motorcycle stopped and shot her to death. She is a former leader of the Samahan ng mga Magbubukid na Kababaihan sa Aurora, a local women organization in Aurora.
CASE 3: “Urban poor office indiscriminately fired”
On that same day, at around 7:30pm, at least 13 residents of Brgy. Catmon, Malabon City, including urban poor leaders led by Madeline Cajipo and two minors were inside a junkshop when it was shot at. The junk shop serves as the office of Sandigan ng Maralitang Nagkakaisang sa Dumpsite Catmon Org. Inc. (SMNDC), local urban poor group.
According to initial reports of Karapatan Metro Manila, Louie Picardal Mejica (aka Lugaw), a resident of Sitio 6, Brgy. Catmon, Malabon was one of the gunmen, accompanied by a certain Andrew, a suspected goon. Allegedly the gunmen were gun-for-hire assets of Malabon City Mayor Antolin Oreta III and his companion.
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: Two women activists killed in separate incidents while urban poor office harassed
CASE 1:
Name of killed victim: Beverly Geronimo, 27. She is a member of Tabing Guangan Farmers Association. She is also a member of the Parents Teachers Community Association (PTCA) of the Mindanao Interfaith Services Foundation Inc. (MISFI) Academy.
Names of alleged perpetrators: Two unnamed men in civilian clothes
Date of incident: 27 May 2018
Place of incident: Brgy. Salvacion, Trento, Agusan Del Sur
CASE 2:
Name of killed victim: Carolina Lana, 62. She is former leader of the Samahan ng mga Magbubukid na Kababaihan sa Aurora.
Names of alleged perpetrators: Two unnamed men onboard a motorcycle
Date of incident: 27 May 2018
Place of incident: Brgy. Dianawan, Maria Aurora, Aurora Province
CASE 3:
Name of victim:
1. Madeline Cajipo
2. Two minors
3. 10 residents of Brgy. Catmon, Malabon City
Names of alleged perpetrators: Louie Picardal Mejica (aka Lugaw), a resident of Sitio 6, Brgy. Catmon, Malabon and a certain Andrew, a suspected goon. Gun for hire asset of Malabon City Mayor Antolin Oreta III.
Date of incident: 27 May 2018
Place of incident: Office of Sandigan ng Maralitang Nagkakaisang sa Dumpsite Catmon Org. Inc. (SMNDC) in Malabon City.
I am writing to voice my grave concern regarding the killing of two women and harassment on urban poor office.
Firstly, on 27 May 2018, at around 12 noon, Beverly Geronimo, 27, a member of Tabing Guangan Farmers Association and an anti-mining activist was killed on her way back home in Brgy. Salvacion, Trento, Agusan Del Sur. She was with her daughter and relatives when two unnamed men in civilian clothes fired at them. She sustained seven gunshot wounds, one in the head, causing her immediate death. Her daughter and relatives survived.
Prior to the killing, she experienced threats and harassment, from different elements of military encamping at their community since 2009. The victim opposed large scale mining companies such as OZ Metals and Agusan Petroleum.
Second, Carolina Lana, 62, was in her store in Brgy. Dianawan, Maria Aurora, Aurora Province when two unnamed men onboard a motorcycle stopped and shot her to death. She is a former leader of the Samahan ng mga Magbubukid na Kababaihan sa Aurora, a local women organization in Aurora.
Lastly, also on 27 May 2018, at around 7:30pm, the Sandigan ng Maralitang Nagkakaisang sa Dumpsite Catmon Org. Inc. (SMNDC), office in Malabon City was shot at. At least 13 residents of Brgy. Catmon, Malabon City, including urban poor leaders led by Madeline Cajipo and two minors were inside the office.
According to initial reports of Karapatan Metro Manila, Louie Picardal Mejica (aka Lugaw), a resident of Sitio 6, Brgy. Catmon, Malabon was one of the gunmen, accompanied by a certain Andrew, a suspected goon. Allegedly the gunmen were gun-for-hire asset of Malabon City Mayor Antolin Oreta III and his companion
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 this.
Yours Sincerely,
……………….
PLEASE SEND YOUR LETTERS TO:
1. Mr. Rodrigo Duterte
President
Republic of the Philippines
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)
