Dear Friends,
The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) deeply regrets to inform you about the killing of three civilians in Davao City, while the whereabouts of a couple who escaped the shooting remain unknown. The victims were allegedly killed by members of the 69th Infantry Battalion.
CASE DETAILS: (Based on the documentation by Alliance for the Advancement of Peoples Rights (KARAPATAN))
On 13 June 2015 at 9 p.m., Aida Seisa (34), went home in Purok 7 (sub-village) Paradise Embac village, Paquibato district, Davao City from her work. Aida is the Secretary General of Paquibato District Peasant Association (PADIPA). She came from a fact-finding mission she leads in Davao City.
On that same day, Aida’s family prepared food for a simple birthday celebration for her daughter. Amongst their visitors were Oligario Quimbo, a miner and co-worker of Aida’s husband Henry; tribal leader Datu Ruben Enlog and his son, Nonoy (alias); and Randy Carnasa, former sub-village leader.
At midnight, Nonoy came out of the house to urinate. He heard a single shot and saw the light along the road in front of Seisa’s house turn off. After a few seconds, a series of gunfire directed at the Seisa residence started. Nonoy immediately dropped to the ground and crawled to a waiting shed, about 15 meters from Seisa’s house. While he was crawling, he heard people inside the house screaming. He heard Randy shout, “Tama na sir, mga sibilyan mi! Tabaaaang!!!!” (Sir, please stop, we are all civilians! Help!!!!) But the gunfire did not stop and lasted for 30 minutes.
By sunrise, on June 14, bodies of Ruben Laydan Enlog, Jr., Randy Lavarcon Carnasa, Oligario Quimbo were found lifeless. Randy’s body was in front of Seisa’s house in a crawling position, with two landmines, of about three kilos each, beside him. He was covered with blood from his left shoulder. Datu Ruben and Oligario were found a few meters away from Randy.
Soldiers from the 69th Infantry Battalion Philippine Army stayed and surrounded Seisa’s residence. They barred the residents from going near the dead bodies as well as Seisa’s house.
Aida, Henry, their three daughters, and some guests who came that night managed to run away and survive the incident. However, as of July 19, Aida Seisa and her husband Henry were still missing. Their three children were able to seek refuge elsewhere.
SUGGESTED ACTION:
Please write letters to the authorities listed below expressing your concern about this case.
The AHRC is also writing a separate letter to the UN Special Rapporteur on extra-judicial, summary, or arbitrary executions, and the Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances.
To support this case, please click here: SEND APPEAL LETTER
SAMPLE LETTER
Dear __________,
PHILIPPINES: Three civilians killed while couple remains missing in Davao City
Name of the killed victims:
1. Oligario Quimbo, a miner and a co-worker of Henry.
2. Datu Ruben Enlog, tribal leader
3. Randy Carnasa, co-father and former sub-village leader
Name of missing victims:
1. Aida Seisa, 34 years old. She is the Secretary General of Paquibato District Peasant Association (PADIPA)
2. Henry Seisa, Aida’s husband
Their whereabouts remains unknown
Alleged Perpetrators: members of 69th Infantry Battalion Philippine Army
Date of incident: June 13, 2015
Place of incident: Purok 7 (sub-village) Paradise Embac village, Paquibato district, Davao City.
I am writing to raise my grave concern on the killing of three people, while two are still missing.
On 13 June 2015 at 9 p.m., Aida Seisa, the Secretary General of Paquibato District Peasant Association (PADIPA), went home for her daughter’s birthday celebration.
Amongst the family visitors were Oligario Quimbo, a miner and co-worker of Aida’s husband Henry; tribal leader Datu Ruben Enlog and his son, Nonoy (alias); and Randy Carnasa, former sub-village leader.
At midnight, gunfire and screams asking for help were heard. By sunrise, the dead bodies of Oligario, Data Ruben and Randy were found in the area, while Aida and Henry were missing. Officers of the 69th Infantry Battalion surrounded the Seisa residence in the morning and barred residents from coming close to the bodies.
I am deeply concerned by the alleged operations of the military. It is essential that international humanitarian law provisions prohibiting the military from dwelling in civilian centers are implemented.
I urge you to conduct a prompt and effective investigation into the killing of these three civilians and serve justice without delay. Also, ensure that the witnesses and families of the victims are given protection adequately. Lastly, I urge you to exhaust all means to locate the whereabouts of Aida and Henry.
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)
