Dear Friends,
The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) deeply regrets to inform you of the killing of a couple in Tacpao village, Negros Oriental by military agents. While the perpetrators have denied involvement in the killing, the incident and constant military presence are making the village nervous and fearful.
CASE DETAILS: (Based on the documentation by Council Health and Development (CHD) and Bulatlat)
On 25 May 2015, 47-year-old Endric Calago was found lying in his own blood outside his house in Tacpao barangay (village), Guihulngan City, Negros Oriental. His face was shot at close range and his body was riddled with bullets. Empty shells of M-203 grenade launcher and M-16 armalite rifle were found at the crime scene. According to the police, at least four magazines of bullets were used. Endric is part of the village security force (barangay kagawad) and the newly elected vice chairperson of Kapunungan Alang sa Ugma sa Gagmayang Mag-uuma (KAUGMAON), the Peasant Movement of the Philippines’ local chapter in Negros.
Endric’s wife, Rosalie Calago, 45 years, was found near the kitchen. She was lying on her stomach with a bullet wound in her chest.
According to Sulpicia Calago, Endric’s sister, the Calago couple were good people, dependable in times of need. Their brutal death has left their family and community in shock.
According to the Peasant Movement of the Philippines, on the night of May 24, at around 10:45 p.m., Endric made loud noises from his house to get the attention of his neighbours. Rosalie was heard shouting and asking for help, “Tabang intawon mo, gianhi mi og mga military.” (Please help us. The soldiers are in our house). After a few minutes, gunshots were heard and the house was on fire.
Based on initial reports, soldiers of the Army’s 11th Infantry Battalion are suspects in the killing. Lt. Col. Paul Idul, 11th Infantry Battalion commander, denied the allegation. Idul said the couple appear to have had personal grudges that might have triggered the attack against them.
At the same time, Idul said the military would look into the incident and recommend the deployment of regular troops in the area where the couple was killed.
On 20-21 August 2015, a psychosocial therapy and medical mission spearheaded by health organizations, volunteers and religious groups was conducted in response to the request of the community. It was held in upland Tacpao village, Guihulngan, Negros Oriental. Psychosocial therapy was conducted to help children.
The health workers found that after the Calagos’ death, the community is suffering post-traumatic stress disorder, manifested through difficulty in sleeping, hyper-alertness to the sound of dogs barking, and an avoidance of sleeping in their own homes for fear of their lives. The children expressed their fear in guns and the military, seen from their drawings during play and art therapy. The community attributed the reason for their anxiety and stress to the military presence in their area. According to Jessa Cachila, registered nurse and executive director of Negros Island Health Integated Program (NIHIP), a community health based program in Bacolod, the 11th Infantry Battalion forces continue to stay in the village’s livelihood center and homes.
Members of the peasant organisation and community report that the military continue harassing them and threatening that ‘the people will be slowly finished’.
A fisherman in a coastal village of Guihulngan shared that he receives threats. His panagatan or pump boat was burned by suspected military personnel, due to his active campaign against big business control in the Tañon Strait, located between the islands of Cebu and Bohol.
SUGGESTED ACTION:
Please write letters to the authorities listed below expressing your concern about this case.
The AHRC is writing a separate letter to the UN Special Rapporteur on extra-judicial, summary, or arbitrary executions and Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders.
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SAMPLE LETTER
Dear __________,
PHILIPPINES: Couple killed by military agents in Negros Oriental
Name of the victims:
1. Endric Calago, 47 years old. He is a village militia (barangay kagawad) and newly elected vice chairperson of Kapunungan Alang sa Ugma sa Gagmayang Mag-uuma (KAUGMAON), the Peasant Movement of the Philippines’ local chapter in Negros.
2. Rosalie Calago, 45 years old. Wife of Endric.
3. A fisherman in a coastal village of Guilhngan
Alleged Perpetrators: Elements of 11th Infantry Battalion headed by Lt. Col. Paul Idul
Date of incident: May 25, 2015
Place of incident: barangay (village) Tacpao, Guihulngan City, Negros Oriental
On 25 May 2015, Endric Calagao, 47 and his wife, Rosalie Calago, 45 were both found dead in Tacpao village Guihulngan City, Negros Oriental. Endric is a village militia (barangay kagawad) serves as village security force and newly elected vice chairperson of Kapunungan Alang sa Ugma sa Gagmayang Mag-uuma (KAUGMAON), the Peasant Movement of the Philippines’ local chapter in Negros.
According to Sulpicia Calago, Endric’s sister, the Calago couple were good people, dependable in times of need. Their brutal death has left their family and community in shock.
According to the Peasant Movement of the Philippines, on the night of May 24, at around 10:45 p.m., Endric made loud noises from his house to get the attention of his neighbours. Rosalie was heard shouting and asking for help, “Tabang intawon mo, gianhi mi og mga military.” (Please help us. The soldiers are in our house). After a few minutes, gunshots were heard and the house was on fire.
Based on initial reports, soldiers of the Army’s 11th Infantry Battalion are suspects in the killing. Lt. Col. Paul Idul, 11th Infantry Battalion commander, denied the allegation. Idul said the couple appear to have had personal grudges that might have triggered the attack against them.
According to Jessa Cachila, registered nurse and executive director of Negros Island Health Integated Program (NIHIP), a community health based program in Bacolod, the 11th Infantry Battalion forces continue to stay in the village’s livelihood center and homes.
Members of the peasant organisation and community report that the military continue harassing them and threatening that ‘the people will be slowly finished’.
A fisherman in a coastal village of Guihulngan shared that he receives threats. His panagatan or pump boat was burned by suspected military personnel, due to his active campaign against big business control in the Tañon Strait, located between the islands of Cebu and Bohol.
I urge you to conduct a prompt and effective investigation into the Calago couple’s death and serve justice without delay. I urge you to ensure that those involved are held responsible. Also, the witnesses and families of the murdered victims must be 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.
Lastly, the authorities should observe the provisions of international humanitarian law, which state that military forces are prohibited from dwelling in civilian centers (schools, health centers, etc.) and prescribes encampment at least 500 meters from residential areas.
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. 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
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
Thank you.
Urgent Appeals Desk
Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) (ua@ahrc.asia)
