Dear friends,
The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) regrets to inform you that another human rights activist, Mateo Morales, has been killed. Morales was killed in his house in San Luis, Agusan del Sur, Mindanao on 24 January 2006. Morales suffered a fatal gunshot wound to his chest and died on his way to hospital. Although the perpetrator has not been identified, there are indications that he may have had connections with the civilian militia unit, the Citizens Armed Forces Geographical Unit (Cafgu), attached to the 29th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army operating in the area.
Days after Morales shooting, about four to six unidentified armed Cafgu were seen close to the victims house during the wake. On January 26, two unidentified armed men also tried to gain entry into the house where Morales colleague at the Religious of the Good Shepherd (RGS) Tribal Filipino Ministry was staying, but they failed. Morales wife Aileen believes that the Cafgu could be involved in his death. Aileens concern, however, has not been investigated by the San Luis Municipal Police Station (SLMPS).
Additionally, there have been threats and attempts made on the lives of staff and community leaders working with the Ministry which indicates that they may have been perpetrated by Cafgu prior to or subsequent to Morales death. Those who have faced threats are staff members, Ricky Martinez, Bernaldo Jalosjos and Ely Ybanez and tribal leader Manbalanio Badbaran. The Ministry is working for the welfare of the Banwaon and Manobo tribal communities in the area.
A reliable source said the result of the investigation made by San Luis Municipal Station head Police Senior Inspector Nilo Teodoro Texon into Morales case was not impartial and has failed to reach any conclusive findings. Texon reportedly did not include the version of the victims family and incidents prior to Morales death indicating the alleged possible involvement of the Cafgu.
There have, however, been several incidents of violence allegedly perpetrated by Cafgu against the villagers associated with the Ministry. On 17 November 2005, unidentified armed men attempted to break into one of the houses of the Ministrys community leader while he was sleeping. There were traces of combat boots prints surrounding the house found the next day. That evening, the armed men returned and were able to gain entry into the house but the leader had already fled by the time.
On 24 November 2005, a motorcycle driver associated with the Ministry was shot by a Cafgu member. On 9 December 2005, another Cafgu member publicly threatened a community leader that he would be killed if he continued his work with the Ministry. On 22 January 2006, another Cafgu member pointed his gun at a civilian because he was somehow connected to the religious sisters managing the Ministry. Had it not been for the intervention of a bystander he would not have been freed.
It is also reported that the military filed charges of rebellion against one of the Ministrys sisters, Sister Mary John Dumaug, RGS, who has been involved in managing the Ministrys programmes. The charge against her was, however, dismissed by the court for lack of evidence.
The violence by Cafgu members and the inaction by the 29th Infantry Battalion to investigate and impose sanctions on them were alleged to be part of an effort to intentionally restrain the operation of the Ministry in the area. The Ministry has been vocal in denouncing the alleged human rights violations perpetrated by the Cafgu members and the military in tribal communities for years.
SUGGESTED ACTION:
Please write letters to concerned government agencies requesting for an impartial investigation into Mateo Morales case. The Citizens Armed Forces Geographical Unit (Cafgu) members attached to the 29th Infantry Battalion, Philippine Army, should be investigated without delay to answer to the allegations made against them. An investigation into the Cafgu members alleged violence, threats and abuses against villagers must also be investigated. The military officials concerned where this Cafgu is attached must also be investigated for their failure to investigate and impose sanctions on them.
Finally, please request the Philippine government to take appropriate action in disbanding the Cafgu without delay in accordance with the recommendation of the United Nations Working Group on Enforced and Involuntary Disappearances and the Special Rapporteur on Torture during the 47th session of the UNCHR in 1991.
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SAMPLE LETTER
Dear ________,
PHILIPPINES: Activist working for indigenous communities killed; four others face serious threats in Agusan del Sur, Mindanao
Name of victim killed: Mateo Morales, a resident of Barangay (village) Dona Flavia, San Luis, Agusan del Sur. He was a staff member of the Religious of the Good Shepherd (RGS) Tribal Filipino Ministry.
Name of alleged perpetrators: Elements of the Citizens Armed Forces Geographical Unit (Cafgu) attached to the 29th Infantry Battalion, Philippine Army, headed by Lieutenant Colonel Taboga
Date of incident: 24 January 2006
Place of incident: At his house in Barangay (village) Dona Flavia, San Luis, Agusan del Sur, Mindanao
Name of victims facing threats: Ricky Martinez, Bernaldo Jalosjos and Ely Ybanez, all staff members of the Ministry, and tribal leader Manbalanio Badbaran.
I am writing to draw your attention to the case of Mateo Morales, a human rights activist who was killed on 24 January 2006 in his house in Barangay (village) Dona Flavia, San Luis, Agusan del Sur. Morales, a staff member of the Religious of the Good Shepherd (RGS) Tribal Filipino Ministry, suffered a fatal gunshot wound to the chest and died while on his way to the hospital.
I have learned that after Morales shooting four to six unidentified armed members of the Citizens Armed Forces Geographical Unit (Cafgu) were seen close to the victims house during a wake. On January 26, two unidentified armed men also tried to gain entry into the house where Morales colleague was staying, but they failed. Morales wife Aileen believes that the Cafgu could be involved in his death. Aileens concern, however, has not been investigated properly by the San Luis Municipal Police Station (SLMPS).
Although the San Agustin Municipal Police Station (SAMPS) conducted their investigation, I am deeply concerned that allegations of the possible involvement by the Cafgu attached to the 29th Infantry Battalion, Philippine Army, into Morales death have not been investigated adequately. I have leaned that the police have allegedly not considered the allegations of Cafgus involvement in Morales death.
Additionally, I have also learned about the threats and attempts made on the other staff and community leaders working with the Ministry. Those who face threats are staff members Ricky Martinez, Bernaldo Jalosjos and Ely Ybanez and tribal leader Manbalanio Badbaran. The Ministry works for the welfare of the Banwaon and Manobo tribal communities in the area.
Prior to Morales death, there were already reports of violence and abuses allegedly perpetrated by members of Cafgu. I am extremely disappointed that despite these allegations members of the Cafgu have not been investigated. On 24 November 2005, a motorcycle driver associated with the Ministry was shot by a Cafgu member. On 9 December 2005, another Cafgu member allegedly publicly threatened to kill a community leader. On January 22, another Cafgu member pointed his gun at a civilian who is closely associated with the religious sisters managing the Ministry.
I am extremely disappointed that despite these alleged incidents of violence and abuse perpetrated by the Cafgu members no sanctions have been imposed upon them by the military unit concerned to which they are attached. I am deeply concerned by the failure of the military officials, in particular the 29th IB, in holding the Cafgu members involved accountable for these incidents.
I therefore urge the concerned governed agencies to commence an impartial investigation into Morales case, the threats against the four activists, and the alleged violence perpetrated by the Cafgu members. The military officials concerned should likewise be investigated for their failure to conduct an investigation and holding the paramilitary unit attached to them accountable. Appropriate charges should be filed against the military officials concerned if they are found to have tolerated the alleged violence committed by its civilian militias.
Finally, I urge the Philippine government, in particular the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), to take immediate steps to disband its paramilitary units in accordance with the recommendation of the United Nations Working Group on Enforced and Involuntary Disappearances and the Special Rapporteur on Torture during the 47th session of the UNCHR in 1991.
I trust that you will take immediate action on this matter.
Yours sincerely,
———————-
1. Charlemagne Alejandrino
Police Chief Superintendent
Deputy Director
Directorate for Investigation and Detective Management
Philippine National Police (PNP)
Camp Crame
Quezon City
PHILIPPINES
Tel: +63 2726 4361/4366/8763
Fax: +63 2724 8763
2. Atty. Marilyn M. Pintor
Regional Director, CARAGA Region
Commission on Human Rights
2nd Floor, First Consolidated Bank Building
J. Rosales Avenue, 8600
Butuan City, PHILIPPINES
Te: +63 85 815-2247 / 342-5280
3. Mr. Orlando Casimiro
Deputy Ombudsman
Office of the Deputy Ombudsman for the Military and
Other Law Enforcement Offices
3rd Floor, Ombudsman Bldg., Agham Road, Diliman (1104)
Quezon City
PHILIPPINES
Tel: +632 926 9032
Fax: +63 2 926-8747
4. Ms. Purificacion Quisumbing
Commissioner
Commission on Human Rights
SAAC Bldg., Commonwealth Avenue
U.P. Complex, Diliman
Quezon City
PHILIPPINES
Tel: +63 2 928-5655/926-6188
Fax: +63 2 929-0102
Email: drpvq@chr.gov.ph
5. Gen. Efren L. Abu
Chief of Staff
Armed Forces of the Philippines
AFP-GHQ Offices
Camp Gen Emilio Aguinaldo
Quezon City
PHILIPPINES
6. Mrs. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo
President
Republic of the Philippines
Malacañang Palace
JP Laurel Street, San Miguel
Manila 1005
PHILIPPINES
Tel No: +63 2 735 6201 / 564 1451 to 80
Fax: +63 2 736 1010
7. Ms Rosalina L. Bistoyong
Executive Director
National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP)
2nd Floor N. dela Merced Building,
Cor. West and Quezon Avenues,
Quezon City, Metro Manila
PHILIPPINES
Tel: +63 2 373-97-87
Telefax: +63 2 373-97-65
Email: resource@ncip.gov.ph, rlbistoyong@ncip.gov.ph
8. Mr. Rodolfo Stavenhagen
Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights and fundamental freedoms of indigenous peoples
Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights in Geneva: OHCHR United Nations, 1211 Geneva 10
SWITZERLAND
Tel: +41 22 917 94 13
Fax: +41 22 917-90 08;
Email: indigenous@ohchr.org
9. Mr. Philip Alston
Special Rapporteur on Extra-judicial, Summary, or Arbitrary Executions
Atten: Lydie Ventre
Room 3-016, c/o OHCHR-UNOG
1211 Geneva 10
SWITZERLAND
Tel: +41 22 917 9155
Fax: +41 22 917 9006 (general)
Email: lventre@ohchr.org
10. Ms. Hina Jilani
Special Representative of the Secretary General for human rights defenders
Attn: Melinda Ching Simon
Room 1-040, c/o OHCHR-UNOG
1211 Geneva 10
SWITZERLAND
Tel: +41 22 917 93 88
Fax: +41 22 917 9006 (ATTN: SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS)
E-mail: MChingSimon@ohchr.org
Thank you.
Urgent Appeals Programme
Asian Human Rights Commission
