Dear Friends,
The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) is deeply concerned about the killing of an indigenous leader while on his way home in Compostela province. A week before the incident, the victim had been receiving threats to his life from members of the 66th Infantry Battalion of Philippines Army due to his anti-mining advocacy in their village. His murder was aggravated by lack of protection, despite him having drawn attention to the threats.
CASE DETAILS: (Based on the documentation by the Alliance for the Advancement of Peoples Rights (KARAPATAN))
On 10 October 2016, 48-year-old Jimmy Saypan, a member of the Mandaya tribe, Secretary General of Compostela Farmers Association (CFA) and resident of Barangay Ngan, Compostela was shot by an unidentified motorcyclist. He was on his way home to Brgy. Ngan, Compostela on his motorcycle. When he reached barangay New Visayas, Montevista town, the unidentified man riding a motorcycle chased and shot him. Saypan was shot three times but still attempted to go after his assailant. After this proved futile, he drove back home. It was only when he was already near his house that he collapsed, but not before he was able to call his family and a neighbor for help.
Saypan was initially brought to Montevista District Hospital but later transferred to Tagum Regional Hospital. He was booked for operation to revive his life, after the operation the victim stated to gradually weaken until he was declared dead on 11 October 2016 at 2:20 p.m.
Members of Compostela Farmers Association (CFA), an affiliate organizaton of Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) and the community of Barangay Ngan, believe that the killing of Saypan was orchestrated by both the 66th Infantry Battalion – Philippine Army (IBPA) and the Agusan Petroleum and Minerals Corporation (AGPET) to threaten the community to not resist and oppose their actions.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Weeks before the incident, a series of lobbying was done to call for the immediate pull-out of the 66th IBPA in communities in Compostela. A dialogue, attended by Saypan, was held between the 66th IBPA and members of the CFA a week before the incident. The farmers expressed that the military presence has resulted in a string of human rights violations and has caused insecurity in the community. The CFA also demanded that the military comply with its own unilateral ceasefire declaration and immediately leave the community. The dialogue did not yield any compromise, with the 66th IBPA rejecting the demands of the farmers.
Saypan was a known, vocal anti-mining advocate who exposed and rallied support for the discontinuation of mining explorations by AGPET since 2012. AGPET is a subsidiary of Eduardo Danding Cojuangco Jr.’s San Miguel Corporation. In 2012, the mining firm was granted exploration permits in villages in Compostela covering an area of 9,999 hectares, and another area in the boundary of Compostela and New Bataan towns spanning a total of 2,400 hectares. AGPET’s permit has expired in 2013 yet the firm continues its mining explorations within the said communities, accompanied by support from the military.
SUGGESTED ACTION:
Please write letters to the concerned authorities listed below expressing your concern about this case.
The AHRC is also writing a separate letter to the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders.
To support this case, please click here: SEND APPEAL LETTER
SAMPLE LETTER
Dear __________,
Philippines: Indigenous leader killed, for anti-mining advocacy
Name of victim: Jimmy Saypan, 48 years old, a Mandaya tribe
Name of Alleged Perpetrator: 66th Infantry Battalion – Philippine Army (IBPA) and the Agusan Petroleum and Minerals Corporation (AGPET)
Date of incident: 10 October 2016
Place of Incident: Barangay Ngan, Compostela
I am writing to voice my deep concern regarding the case of Jimmy Saypan, a peasant leader of indigenous people in Compostela who was shot dead and known with the advocacy on anti-mining activities in their village.
On 10 October 2016, 48-year-old Jimmy Saypan, a member of the Mandaya tribe, Secretary General of Compostela Farmers Association (CFA) and resident of Barangay Ngan, Compostela was shot by an unidentified motorcyclist. He was on his way home to Brgy. Ngan, Compostela on his motorcycle. When he reached barangay New Visayas, Montevista town, the unidentified man riding a motorcycle chased and shot him. Saypan was shot three times but still attempted to go after his assailant. After this proved futile, he drove back home. It was only when he was already near his house that he collapsed, but not before he was able to call his family and a neighbor for help.
Saypan was initially brought to Montevista District Hospital but later transferred to Tagum Regional Hospital. He was booked for operation to revive his life, after the operation the victim stated to gradually weaken until he was declared dead on 11 October 2016 at 2:20 p.m.
I have learned that before the terrifying incident, there were a series of lobbying to call for the removal of the 66th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army from the Compostela community.. The farmers expressed their feelings of insecurity and concern at the human rights violations occurring due to the military presence. However, the Battalion rejected their concerns and calls.
I urge you to conduct an immediate and impartial investigation into this killing, and provide adequate protection to the family of the murdered victim. Those who are facing threats should 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,
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PLEASE SEND YOUR LETTERS TO:
1. Mr. Rodrigo Roa Duterte
President
Republic of the Philippines
Malacanang Palace
JP Laurel Street, San Miguel
Manila 1005
PHILIPPINES
Voice: (+632) 564 1451 to 80
Fax: (+632) 742-1641 / 929-3968
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. Maj. Gen. Delfin Negrillo Lorenzana
Secretary, Department of National Defense
Room 301 DND Building, Camp Emilio Aguinaldo,
E. de los Santos Avenue, Quezon City
Voice:+63(2) 911-9281 / 911-0488
Voice:+63(2) 911-6193 / 911-0488 / 982-5600
Fax:+63(2) 982-5600
Email: info@dnd.gov.ph
4. Atty. Vitaliano Aguirre
Secretary
Department of Justice (DOJ)
DOJ Bldg., Padre Faura
1004 Manila
PHILIPPINES
Voice: (+632) 928-5655, 926-6188
Fax: (+632) 521-1614
5. Atty. Leonor T. Oralde-Quintayo
Chairperson
National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP)
2/F N. dela Merced Bldg. corner West &
Quezon Ave., Quezon City
Tel: +63 8373-9942
Email: chairpersonsoffice@gmail.com
Thank you.
Urgent Appeals Programme
Asian Human Rights Commission (ua@ahrc.asia)
