Dear Friends,
The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) deeply regrets to inform you that a human rights defender was killed in Agusan del Sur. Lito Abion was a member of a group that refused to merge its tribal lands with others who are known to be open to mining on ancestral lands.
CASE DETAILS: (Based on the documentation by Higala sa Lumad Network (Friends of the Lumad))
At 12 noon on 28 September 2015, Lito Abion, 44, was shot dead by two unknown gunmen while waiting for passengers with his fellow drivers at the terminal of Purok 2, Dona Flavia, San Luis, Agusan del Sur. A red Honda XRM motorcycle, with two men, parked nearby. After a few moments, the passenger of the motorcycle pulled out a handgun and fired at Lito, who sustained two bullet wounds in his back and another in the nape. The gunman then boarded the motorcycle and left.
Lito is a habal-habal (motorcycle for hire) driver and a member of Tagdumahan, a Lumad organisation in San Luis, Agusan del Sur. The Tagdumahan group opposed the entry of mining in the ancestral lands of the Banwaon and Manobo tribes in Agusan del Sur.
According to Jun-jun, a witness of the killing, the motorcycle used was the same as that used by the perpetrators of Angis Precioso’s killing on December 22, 2014. Angis was the village chieftain and a founding member of Tagdumahan.
Tagdumahan members refused to merge their land with that of Mario Napungahan’s group. Mario is a chieftain who had been pushing for a unified Certificate of Ancestral Domain Title (CADT). Tagdumahan members were afraid that a unified CADT with Mario would result in the destruction of their lands, as Mario is known to be open to mining.
Mario was a former member of the New People’s Army (NPA), and after his surrender he was recruited by the Philippine Army as a member of the Civilian Auxiliary Force Geographical Unit (CAFGU). As CAFGU member, he joined the military operations of the Philippine Army in the Lumad communities. As a datu (community leader), he used his influence and position to form an armed group known as Rebel Returnees, which functions as an informal auxiliary force of the military, joining the state forces in their operations in the communities. Mario accused all Tagdumahan leaders and members who refused to sign the application of a unified CADT as supporters or members of the NPA. Lito was among those accused in 2005, forcing him to leave San Luis. He returned in 2014.
SUGGESTED ACTION:
Please write letters to the authorities listed below expressing your concern about the case.
The AHRC is also writing a separate letter to the UN Special Rapporteur on extra-judicial, summary, or arbitrary executions, Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders and Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples.
To support this case, please click here: SEND APPEAL LETTER
SAMPLE LETTER
Dear __________,
PHILIPPINES: Human rights defender killed in Agusan del Sur for opposing mining of ancestral land
Name of the killed victims: Lito Abinion, 44 years old. He is habal-habal driver and member of Tagdumahan group.
Alleged Perpetrators: Two unknown armed men on a red Honda XRM.
Date of incident: 28 September 2015
Place of incident: Purok 2, Don Flavia, San Luis, Agusan del Sur
I am writing to voice my deep concern on the killings and harassment of Lumads in Agusan del Sur.
At 12 noon on 28 September 2015, Lito Abion, 44, was shot dead by two unknown gunmen while waiting for passengers with his fellow drivers at the terminal of Purok 2, Dona Flavia, San Luis, Agusan del Sur. A red Honda XRM motorcycle, with two men, parked nearby. After a few moments, the passenger of the motorcycle pulled out a handgun and fired at Lito, who sustained two bullet wounds in his back and another in the nape. The gunman then boarded the motorcycle and left.
Lito is a habal-habal (motorcycle for hire) driver and a member of Tagdumahan, a Lumad organisation in San Luis, Agusan del Sur. The Tagdumahan group opposed the entry of mining in the ancestral lands of the Banwaon and Manobo tribes in Agusan del Sur.
The Tagdumahan group have been resisting merging their land for a unified Certificate of Ancestral Domain Title (CADT) because they fear it would lead to the destruction of their lands.
Mario Napungahan, chieftain of another tribe and a member of Civilian Auxiliary Geographical Unit (CAFGU) accused the members of Tagdumahan of being rebel supporters when they refused to sign the application for a unified (CADT).
I urge you to properly investigate this case and ensure that those involved are held responsible as soon as possible. The witnesses and family of the murdered victim need to be given adequate protection should they decide to prosecute the case.
I trust that you will take appropriate action in this matter.
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
5. Leonor T. Oralde-Quintayo
Chair
National Commission on Indigenous Peoples
2/F N. dela Merced Bldg. corner West &
Quezon Ave., Quezon City
Tel: 373-9942
Thank you.
Urgent Appeals Desk
Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) (ua@ahrc.asia)
