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Federation of Journalists (IFJ) is deeply saddened by the murder of broadcast journalist Martin Roxas, who was shot dead in a broad daylight attack in Capiz, the Philippines, on August 7.

Roxas, 32, anchorman of Radio Mindanao Network (RMN) station dyVR and host of the station’s midday program “Targetanay sa Udto” was shot by two unidentified gunmen on a motorcycle as he left the radio station in Barangay village at 1pm.

Colleagues reportedly informed police that Roxas, who was also auditor for the Capiz chapter of the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP), an IFJ affiliate, had been beaten by a group of young men last week.

Roxas is the second RMN broadcaster to be targeted this week. Dennis Cuesta, program director for the dxMD program on the RMN network is currently fighting for his life after suffering three bullet wounds to his head in an attack in General Santos City on August 4.

Roxas is the fourth journalist to be murdered this year and the 59th since President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo took power in 2001.

“It is with great distress that the IFJ reports that Roxas’ murder and the attack on Cuesta have seen the Philippines return to the top of the most dangerous countries in the Asia-Pacific region for journalists so far in 2008,” IFJ Asia-Pacific said.

“The IFJ welcomes reports that the Capiz provincial police have established a taskforce to investigate Roxas’ shooting and that two persons have been detained.”

The IFJ joins the NUJP in appealing to the RMN network and local authorities to provide extra security and protection for journalists, particularly as they travel to and from work.

“Only through public condemnation and the active pursuit of justice will authorities send a clear message that such heinous attacks will not be tolerated.”

The IFJ extends its deep sympathy to Roxas’ family and friends, to the NUJP, and to the Radio Mindanao Network for the shocking attacks on two of its journalists this week.


For further information contact IFJ Asia-Pacific on +61 2 9333 0919
The IFJ represents over 600,000 journalists in 114 countries

The murder in broad daylight of Capiz broadcaster Martin Roxas on Thursday, August 7, mocks government's claims that it has brought down the incidence of extrajudicial killings, particularly the murder of journalists.

Roxas, 32, is the fourth journalist murdered this year and the 59th since President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo came to power in 2001.

The brazenness with which he was slain and the short span of time since another colleague, General Santos broadcaster Dennis Cuesta, was shot and grievously wounded in another daytime attack, merely show that the culture of impunity the government has helped nurture by its inaction, apathy and even its outright attempts to stifle press freedom, continues to thrive.

Roxas was chased and gunned down as he left the station after his program at around 1 p.m. Thursday. He died in a hospital about an hour later from a gunshot to the spine.

Roxas was the program director of Radio Mindanao Network's dyVR and auditor of the Capiz chapter of the National Union of Journalist of the Philippines.

NUJP members in General Santos and Davao City joined the protest action held this afternoon in General Santos while NUJP-Iloilo has organized a mass. Similar actions are being planned in other areas, including Manila.

As we grieve the loss of yet another colleague, we call on all independent Filipino journalists to remain steadfast in our mission of serving the people by delivering to them the information they will need in molding their individual and collective futures.(http://www.nujp.org)

MANILA, Philippines (August 7, 2008) - A broadcast journalist of the Radio Mindanao Network (RMN) in Roxas City, Capiz who is also an officer of the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) in the province was shot and killed in a broad daylight attack on Thursday.

The murder of Martin Roxas, 32, anchorman of RMN station dyVR and host of the station's noontime program, Targetanay sa Udto, by two motorcycle-riding gunmen, came three days after another RMN broadcaster, Dennis Cuesta, was seriously hurt in a shooting attack in General Santos City. Cuesta still lies in a comatose state up to this time.

Reports from Capiz said Roxas, who is auditor of the NUJP-Capiz, had just finished his program and left the radio station in Barangay (village) Punta Tabuc at 1 p.m. on his motorcycle when the gunmen pursued him.

The gunmen shot him around a kilometer away from the city proper and fled, said John Heredia, NUJP- Capiz chairman.

Roxas died past 2 p.m. at the Capiz Emmanuel Hospital, to which he was rushed, from a bullet that hit his spinal column, Chief Supt. Isagani Cuevas, Western Visayas police director, said.
Police are investigating two persons who were intercepted at a checkpoint.

Cuevas also said a task force headed by Senior Supt. Josephus Angan, Capiz provincial police director, has been formed to investigateRoxas' murder. He also said the investigation will look into the possibility the killing was work-related since Roxas tackled various issues.

According to Heredia, Roxas had told colleagues and co-employees that he was beaten up by a group of young men last week. He said they are still determining if this was related to the shooting.

Roxas is the fourth journalist to be murdered this year and the 59th since President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo came to power in 2001. (IFJ-NUJP Media Safety Office)

Urgent Appeal Update: AHRC-UAU-044-2008

22 July 2008

[RE: AHRC-UAG-008-2008: PHILIPPINES: More unsolved murders of crime suspects]

PHILIPPINES: VIGILANTE KILLINGS - Police' failure to solve cases aggravates murder

ISSUES: Extrajudicial killing; police negligence; right to liberty and security; children; administration of justice

SLAUGHTER OF INNOCENTShttp://noprotection.blog.humanrights.asia/

Dear friends,

The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has been receiving information continuously that more persons have been murdered recently, including minors and women, on the pretext of "vigilante killings". The police, once again, instead of thoroughly investigating each of these cases, justified the murders as being due to the victim's criminal records.

UPDATED INFORMATION: (According to reliable sources and Sun.Star Super Balita)
In addition to our previous appeals AHRC-UAG-008-2008, AHRC-UAU-032-2008, we have already mentioned that at least 21 persons, one of whom was a boy, have already been murdered on the pretext of vigilante killings since April of this year.

We have previously mentioned that most of those murdered have been suspected of involvement in criminal activities, former detainees and gang members. However, some of those killed have had no involvement but the police authorities are continuously avoiding any responsibility to solve these cases, particularly of identifying and prosecuting those responsible.

For instance, two of those killed as mentioned in this Case No. 5 below, were the wife and a brother-in-law of a deceased person. Even before he was murdered, his colleague, also suspected of having been involved in crime, was shot dead in police custody for reportedly attempting to grab a police firearm in his attempt to escape from their custody but this was never thoroughly investigated.

As the AHRC continues to document murders of this nature it becomes increasingly evident that they are aggravated by the failure of the police failure to thoroughly investigate and ensure the possibility of an effective prosecution. The police also fail to implement the laws regulating the control of firearms and the proper use of license plates of motorcycles. This failure allows the gunmen to arm themselves and use their motorcycles to kill their targets.

The gunmen have been killing their targets in broad daylight, inside their own houses, in crowded public places and even shortly after coming out from a police detention center. Investigation into these cases, however, has not shown substantial progress so far. The perpetrators of these murders remain unidentified.

1. LAYNEL ROMANO, 22 years old, of Bunawan, Davao City. On May 21, when he was watching a basketball game in a crowded place in his village, two young men suddenly shot him in the head using an improvised gun. The gunmen escaped by mixing with the panicked crowd. The police concluded it was a "gang war" without thorough investigation.

2. MANUELITO BELINARIO, 55 years old, of Barangay (village) Cuambogan, Tagum City. On May 22, when he was about to take his dinner, he was shot in the head by a man who was armed with a .45 caliber pistol. Two empty shells were found at the crime scene.

3. RONALD BENGIL, 32 years old; of Barangay Mankilam, Tagum City. On May 22, when he was buying charcoal from a store close to his house, he was shot repeatedly by attackers riding on a motorcycle. He died after suffering from several gunshot wounds.

4. DANILO AUGUIS, 38 years old; of Barangay Bula, General Santos City. On May 26, he was together with his sister Gina when an unknown man approached them. The man asked them if they knew Jun Jorie. Gina told the man to ask someone else instead as she did not know the person he was looking for; and when she turned to the man's back, the man shot his brother, Danilo, on the head with a .45 caliber pistol. He escaped on board a motorcycle waiting nearby. Danilo had been detained due to a charge for theft of mobile phone but was later released after it was returned to owner.

5. NERITO CALIMBO, his wife JOCELYN, and brother-in-law AARON. On May 22, Nerito, were shot dead in San Pedro Corner Legaspi Streets in Davao City after he was released from police detention. Jocelyn and Aaron, who had fetched him, were also killed by gunmen riding on motorcycle who fired at the taxi they were riding. Only his son, Norman survived.

An hour before Nerito was killed, Jose Jorge Corpuz, chief of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) in Southern Mindanao warned him that he had to be careful as he had been targeted for a kill. Corpuz, however, when he was interviewed about the warning he had given to the victim claimed it was only his "presumption" that the victim was at risk.
The police nevertheless have concluded that it was Nerito's colleagues in Chigo Gang who had killed him even before the investigation was completed. They however did give neither explanation nor justification why his wife, Jocelyn and Aaron had to be killed also. Nerito's colleague, Bernado Chigo has also been killed on May 22 as he had reportedly attempted to grab a gun from his police escort. This, once again, has not been thoroughly investigated.

6. REZEMIAS BENSOLANO, 17 years old, of Barangay Calumpang, General Santos City. On June 3, when he was sitting outside his house with a friend after dinner, he was stabbed repeatedly by two unidentified men armed with bladed weapons. They also attempted to stab his unnamed friend but failed. The attackers escaped on their motorcycle from the area. Rezemias died on his way to the hospital due to stab wounds to his chest and his back.

7. RICHARD BALDELOBAR; 22 years old, of Dona Salud Village, Davao City. On June 3, while Felipe and his friends were standing on a street in their village, unidentified gunmen, who were riding on a motorcycle, suddenly approached and shot him in the head at close range. The attacker was described as about 30 years old, 5'4 tall and was wearing white sleeveless shirt. He escaped with another person who had waited for him close by. Senior Police Officer Demetrio Palomar of Sasa Police Station described the victim as a "known troublemaker" since, according to the police, he had been involved in theft cases and had criminal records for beating and had been part of a "6425 Gang".

8. FELIPE REBUCAS, 30 years old, laborer of Buhangin, Davao City. He was queuing up at a government retail store at the Upper Malagamot, Panacan to buy rice when he shot dead by one of the two unidentified armed men riding on a motorcycle. His parents and siblings and several witnesses were present during the shooting. The attackers escaped on board a black motorcycle. During investigation, the police looked into the victim's criminal record rather than identify who were responsible for the killing.

9. JUNARD CALACAR, 19 years old; MELVIN CAPUYAN, 38 years old of Mintal, Davao City. On June 2, they were shot dead by gunmen inside their house when they were watching television. Junard's cousin, John Carlo Calacar was also injured as he was present during the attack. Police Office (PO3) Edgar Genovia of the Tugbok police station claimed that there were four identified men who shot the victims. Junard's mother said his son was the real target as he was a gang member and had received death threats before the attack.

10. MICHAEL CASTINO, of Zone 5, Barangay Bonbon, Cagayan de Oro City. On May 30, two men who were riding on a motorcycle shot him at the left side of his head. This happened at the corner of Osmena and Yacapin streets where many people were eating breakfast. The victim had been described supposedly as a member of the Batang Mindanao 29 gang and involved in numerous robbery and pickpocket cases.

You can also read the AHRC's statements on this: AHRC-STM-184-2008; AHRC-OLT-017-2008; ALRC-CWS-08-014-2008 and AHRC-STM-079-2008.

ISSUES: Extrajudicial killing; police negligence; right to liberty and security; children; administration of justice.

The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) writes with deep concern regarding the continuing failure by the police and the local government to ensure protection and prevent the systematic murders in General Santos City. At least 29 persons, five of whom are minors, have already been killed from February 4 to May 16, 2008 and dozens of others that remains largely not documented. While this appeal is being written, more murders have taken place there.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION:

At the latter part of 2007, there have been increasing incidents of motorcycle thefts wherein their drivers are subsequently and systematically murdered before their motorcycles are forcibly taken from them in General Santos City, Southern Philippines. All these cases, however, remained unsolved by local police authorities. Though the police claimed to have identified the group responsible for these robberies, they have not been able to ensure that they are arrested and effectively prosecuted.

In the said city, private motorcycle drivers are not allowed to carry passengers for a fee because they have not been issued with any franchise, nor given authority by the government to operate as public transport. However, private motorcycles are noticeably seen collecting passengers as this is the only available means of transport during nighttime in most areas there. This, too, has in fact become a means of livelihood to a large number of locals there. It is these circumstances though that has placed them extremely vulnerable to robberies.

Though these incidents have continued unabated since February, the number of drivers who have fallen victims to motorcycle thieves and killers has been increasing by the day. Base on available documented cases so far, from February 4 to May 16, 2008, at least eight motorcycle drivers have already been murdered in separate shooting incidents. However, at the height of the robberies and murders, the local police has been trying to downplay its scale declaring them as: "isolated cases"

The local police too, particularly the head of the General Santos City Police Office (GSCPO), has instead put the blame on the victims themselves by continuously ferrying passengers which attracts robbers. Despite the robberies and murders taking place systematically, they had been unable to initiate adequate and effective measures to ensure these robberies and subsequent murders are prevented. Or, those who are vulnerable persons could avail some sort of a protection.

As these motorcycle murders continue unabated, sometime in February 2008, the local police gave an ultimatum to their local commanders to solve these cases and to subsequently arrest those responsible. It is reported, however that in the process the police has been able to draw up an alleged list of persons they suspect of involvement in these robberies and murders.

A few weeks later, not only motorcycle drivers have fallen victims to these robberies and subsequent murders; however, dozens of other persons have also been shot dead almost daily in General Santos City. Some of the victims are reportedly amongst those included in the police's list, including a 16-year-old boy (Please see Case No. 9 above).

The police, however, are denying any involvement in these murders of alleged criminals; nor the existence of hirelings there.

Instead of ensuring that the police effectively investigates and ensures those responsible for these murders and motorcycle robberies--the city mayor Pedro Acharon Jr. had openly, in absence of any sufficient proofs, endorsed the police' theory that the alleged criminals could have been also murdered by their own group members (Please see Case No. 8 above). Neither Mayor Acharon nor the local police had given any reasonable and credible proofs that those persons, whom they accused as criminals, actually had links with each other.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

In March, the AHRC raised serious concern about Mayor Acharon's statement (AHRC-STM-079-2008) and the manner by which the police handles these cases. It also warned the consequences that the perpetrators would be emboldened to commit more murders with impunity; and that it would become a convenient excuse for the police authorities there, instead of being held responsible to ensure protection of lives and protection, to exonerate themselves.

The responsibility by the Philippine National Police (PNP) is clearly stipulated in Republic Act 6975, section 24, of the police' powers and functions (read the full text). They are supposed to ensure the protection of lives and property of the people, ensure public safety, and to investigate and prevent these crimes.

Also, under Article 6 (1) of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) to which the Philippines is a state party, it clearly states that "Every human being has the inherent right to life. This right shall be protected by law. No one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his life".

(read full text) The protection of persons from being arbitrarily deprived of their lives is an utmost State responsibility.

The General Comment No. 6 1982 by the United Nation Human Rights Committee, par. 3, also stipulates that: "the protection against arbitrary deprivation of life which is explicitly required by the third sentence of article 6 (1) is of paramount importance.

The Committee considers that State parties should take measures not only to prevent and punish deprivation of life by criminal acts, but also to prevent arbitrary killing by their own security forces (sic)". (read full text)

However, neither the local police nor the local government has been able to ensure by taking effective and adequate measures to prevent these robberies and murders from taking place; and that persons are not arbitrary deprived of their lives without due process and on pretext of their supposed involvement in criminal activities.

Below are names of the victims (of systematic murders and arbitrary deprivation of life) and brief details of their cases. These, however, is a small fraction of what is actually taking place;

MOTORCYCLE DRIVERS MURDERED:

1. DANNY RAMIREZ, 45 years old: He was murdered on April 27 in Barangay (village) Labangal. He was a lone bread winner and father of five children who tried to earn a living but he himself had become a victim. He had just come from their place when he was followed by the perpetrators who shot him on his way to ferry passengers. Danny's wife, Delia and his children are now forced to survive and carry on their lives by themselves.

2. STEWARD DEVENAGRACIA, 22 years old: He was shot dead by one of his passengers on April 21 in Barangay Labangal. He was last seen ferrying a female passenger from a wharf in Makar, of the same village, before he was found dead. Usually drivers are not suspicious of female passengers though. The attackers also stole the motorcycle he had had just loaned.

3. ROMY ARISTOTELES, 33 years old: He was killed on April 9 at 8:30pm at corner Magsaysay Avenue and Salazar streets, a usually crowded place in downtown area. A lone gunman, armed with a .45 caliber pistol, shot him from behind and calmly walked away after the shooting.

4. JUN VILLAMOR: He was shot dead on April 1 by two of passengers who allegedly tried to steal his motorcycle along San Pedro Street, Mateo Road, Barangay (village) Bula. Witnesses heard gunshots before he slammed his motorcycle underneath the back of a utility vehicle parked along a roadside. The two attackers, one of whom was seen having difficulty of walking were able to escape.

5. DANILO BACTOL, 45 years old: He was found dead on March 10 in Purok Bulaong Extension, Barangay Labangal. He was last seen ferrying two other passengers before he was murdered and his motorcycle stolen. He had fatal gunshot wounds to his belly and back.

MURDER OF ALLEGED CRIMINALS:

1. RUEL MEDRANO, 22 years old; of Purok San Roque, Barangay Labanga. On May 17, he was seen eating a snack in one of the stores when gunmen shot him dead. The gunmen, armed with a .45 caliber pistol, had approached the victim unnoticed, shooting him on the head at close range. Three slugs from a pistol were found from the crime scene. He had been involved previously on theft for stealing a phone, which has been returned to the owner.

2. BEMBO APONESTO, 31 years old; of Purok 2, Rajah Muda, Barangay Bula. On May 17, he was standing just outside the house of his friend when he was shot dead by unidentified gunmen. Two gunmen, carrying a .45 caliber pistol, were seen approaching him before they shot him. The community police, however, claimed Bembo had previously been detained in their police station for committing an offense.

3. ALFREDO SECUVA JR., 17 years old; of Zone 3, Block 0, Barangay Fatima. On May 16, he was playing basketball in a crowded place when approached by gunmen who shot him twice. Two slugs from a .45 caliber pistol had been recovered from the crime scene. There were suspicions that he had been involved in illegal drugs after having been swayed by his friends and he could have been killed by "hired killers".

4. RENE TALUNA, 24 years old: On May 14 evening, Rene had just come from the public market where he was selling charcoal when the attackers shot him soon after arriving at his place in B'laan Village, Barangay Labangal. The two suspects, riding on a motorcycle, had followed the victim before shooting him dead. He suffered gunshot wounds to his head and chest. The community police there, once again, claimed Rene had cases of theft and robbery in their office.

5. EPEDILITO VALLENTI, 18 years old: He was shot suddenly by a gunman on May 12 just outside his place. The gunmen, who had approached him as he was standing, shot him to his head and neck. The attackers, riding on a motorcycle, were seen shooting the victim soon after coming close to him.

6. ROGER BAGALANGIT, 23 years old: He was shot dead on April 20 in front of his sister, Resalie, after coming out from a village where they had come for a drink along Jhonny Ang Paradise. They were waiting for a ride on their way home, when one of the attackers, armed with a .45 caliber pistol, suddenly appeared shooting Roger to his forehead. He died on his way when taken to the hospital. The police', instead of investigating who are responsible for his murder, looked into whether the victim had a criminal records or not.

7. JONATHAN LANCISO, 30 years old: On April 18, he was with a crowd of people watching volleyball game when two gunmen, armed with .45 caliber pistol, approached shooting him to his forehead in Sitio Lanton, Barangay Apopong. None of those who had seen the shooting, however, had come forward to identify the two attackers. His wife, Agnes, had no idea to what could have been the motive in her husband's murder. Jonathan had been detained but was released after having been falsely charged for theft of firearms.

8. GABRIEL SINTOSAS, 23 and EMERSON ESTOCADO, 21: Gabriel and Emerson were killed on March 19 in Purok Malok and Purok San Roque, Labangal, respectively. The police had quickly made public pronouncement the two had been killed over suspicions that they could be involved in a series of motorcycle robberies.

9. ROLEN DAGANIO, (a.k.a dugong bunso), 16 years old: He was with two of his relatives March 18, around 9:55pm along Barangay City Heights when he was shot dead by unidentified gunmen riding on motorcycle. His uncle, Rogelio Inconcillano, and cousin, Rember Nunez, said attackers shot him as he was standing at the roadside. Rolen is said to be a recidivist offender and had been detained at police stations in several occasions. The social welfare is supposed to be taking custody of him when he was killed.

10. NASSER KAMID, 28 years old: He was along Amao Road, Barangay Bula on March 7 when the three attackers riding on a motorcycle, armed with a .45 caliber pistol, suddenly appeared and shot him dead. Though the police have yet to conclude their investigation; they however said he had been previously detained at the Davao Penal Colony (Dapecol).

Celso Pojas, leader of the Farmers’ Association of Davao City and spokesman for the Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas, was killed by two motorcycle gunmen outside their office in Davao City.

Pojas, 45, was also the vice chairman of the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN), tagged by the Philippine military as a front of the communist New People’s Army rebels.

“He is a good man who had been fighting for the rights of the oppressed. We condemn the killing of a good man and we accused the military as behind his murder,” Jeppie Ramada, BAYAN Secretary-General, told the Mindanao Examiner.

He said Pojas had been receiving death threats from suspected military men who had been tailing the militant leader since last year. “Armed men, sporting military haircut, had previously warned Ka Celso that he would be killed because of his activities as a peasant leader,” Ramada said.

“The killing of Ka Celso is politically motivated because he was a staunch supporter of human rights and his being against continued militarization in many parts of Davao and Compostela Valley provinces and other areas in southern Mindanao” Ramada said.

No group or individual claimed responsibility for the murder and the military flatly denied any involvement in the killing of Pojas.

“We have nothing to do with it. We respect human rights. Let us wait for the investigation of the police,” Major Raymundo Aguada, a spokesman for the Army’s 10th Infantry Division, said in a separate interview.

The Philippine military previously tagged Pojas’ groups as fronts of the New People’s Army rebels fighting for the establishment of a Maoist state in the country. (Mindanao Examiner)

Officials said policemen were hunting down the suspect in the murder of Lolita Molina, who was shot Friday in downtown Pagadian. The 54-year old executive of the Bureau of Internal Revenue was gunned as she disembarked from a motorcycle taxi.

The gunman fled after the killing. The motive of the killing is still unknown, but the woman’s family claimed she was receiving death threats before the attack. It was unclear whether the murder was connected to her work or not.

Hired killers operate in Pagadian City and there had been dozens of unsolved killings the past years. Pagadian is home to many regional government agencies after Manila ordered their transfer several years from Zamboanga City in the tip of western Mindanao. (Mindanao Examiner)

Arbitrary, unlawful arrests and extra-judicial and political killings continued to be a major problem in the Philippines in 2007, the United States government said Wednesday.

In its 2007 report on the human rights conditions in the Philippines (http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/hrrpt/2007/100535.htm), Washington noted that many of these killings went unsolved and unpunished despite intensified efforts of the government to investigate and prosecute these cases.

“Concerns about impunity persisted. Members of the security services committed acts of physical and psychological abuse on suspects and detainees, and there were instances of torture,” the report said, adding: “Arbitrary or warrantless arrests and detentions were common. Trials were delayed, and procedures were prolonged. Prisoners awaiting trial and those already convicted were often held under primitive conditions.”

Left-wing and human rights activists were often subject to harassment by local security forces, the report said.

The US also noted that corruption has pervaded institutions making up the criminal justice system, including police, prosecutorial and judicial organs.

Problems such as violence against women and abuse of children, child prostitution, trafficking in persons, child labor, and ineffective enforcement of worker rights were also common.

The report took note of the measures taken by the Philippine government to step up its investigation and prosecution of cases of arbitrary, unlawful, and extrajudicial killings.

It said these measures included the creation of human rights offices in the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police, the Supreme Court’s petition for a writ of amparo, and President Arroyo’s directive for “cooperation and coordination” between prosecutors and police from the outset of a political or media killing "until the termination of cases in court."

“The full results of these reforms in terms of indictments and convictions were not yet visible, but government agencies, human rights nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), and even some of the government's critics noted a significant decrease in the number of killings,” the report said.

The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) is shocked to learn that a labour leader who survived an earlier attempt on his life in April 2006 was shot dead this morning, March 10.

Gerardo Cristobal (a.k.a. Gerry) was driving his vehicle when armed men riding in another vehicle open fired at him soon after chasing him. He suffered several fatal gunshot wounds which killed him instantly. Gerardo, an organizer of labour unions in Cavite, South of Manila, had been facing continuing threats since surviving the 2006 incident.

CASE DETAILS: (according to information received from Center for Trade Union and Human Rights (CTUHR))

As described in our previous appeal (UA-142-2006; UP-098-2006), labour activist Gerardo Cristobal (a.k.a. Gerry) survived an earlier attempt on his life on 28 April 2006 by gunmen later identified as a member of the police force and another man who was said to be a member of the civil security unit.

At around 8 am this morning, Gerardo was driving his car from his house in Barangay (village) Malagasang II, Imus, Cavite when armed men riding in another vehicle chased him and subsequently open fired at him as they chased him towards a crowded place in the said municipality.

It is reported that the Scene of the Crime Operatives (Soco), who are supposed to conduct an onsite investigation, allegedly asked a local funeral home in Dasmarinas to collect Gerardo's body instead of conducting an investigation at the crime scene. Gerardo's body was later transferred to another funeral home. As of yet, the complete details regarding Gerardo's have not been made available.

In April 2006, Gerardo survived an attempt on his life after having exchanged fire with his attackers who were later identified as Senior Police Office 1 (SP01) Romeo Lara, a member of police' intelligence unit in Imus, Cavite and his companion, Larry Reyes, a member of the Civil Security Unit (CSU) of the same municipality. Gerardo at the time had to carry his own licensed firearm for protection due to continuing threats against him.

At the time, Gerardo suffered multiple gunshots wound but later recovered after receiving medical treatment. After the ambush, the local police claimed instead that it was Gerardo who had ambushed the police and security forces, and subsequently filed charges of frustrated murder against him. This, however, was contrary to Gerardo's version of story.

Eight months later, December 2006, Gerardo's colleague, Jesus Servida (a.k.a. Buth) was also shot dead in front of the factory where they help organizing unions. Two other workers, Joel Sale and Kenny Mari Severo, were also wounded during the shooting. For further information please read: UA-399-2006. None of the perpetrators in this case have so far been identified, arrested and prosecuted for the murder.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS:
The murder of Gerardo Cristobal demonstrates the severity of the security problem and the lack of safety of activists. In Gerardo's case, apart from having no choice but to carry his own firearms for protection, there has not been any known action or arrangement afforded to him that he be afforded with security for his safety by the authorities.

In the Philippines, policemen are seen as adversaries by the activists for having been involved in carrying attempts on their lives and for their inaction into affording them any form of protection.

Gerardo's death is a case in point. Often, when an activist faces and receives threats to his or herself, going to police station and concerned authorities is not an option. They rather take upon themselves any arrangement for protection. There are also cases where a person facing threats refuses to divulge his plight to his anyone.

This, however, has been proven fatal in most cases involving killings of activists. In May 2006, activist Elena Mendiola (a.k.a. Baby) was also shot dead after having been survived an earlier attempt on her life. For details please read: UP-106-2006.

The AHRC has in recent times has expressed serious concerns over the continuing violence and the lack of protection to activists facing threats in the Philippines.

AHRC-STM-016-2008: PHILIPPINES: KILLINGS - Two more killings: a priest and a judge - a symptom of lawlessness

AHRC-STM-014-2008: PHILIPPINES: KILLINGS – Why can't security forces act without being asked?

AHRC-STM-009-2008: PHILIPPINES: KILLINGS – Claims of police efficiency at odds with reality

AHRC-STM-007-2008: PHILIPPINES: Killings leave deeply entrenched fear and distrust

SUGGESTED ACTION:Please write letters to the concerned authorities demanding their immediate attention into the killing of Gerardo Cristobal. An inquiry must be conducted as to who is responsible for his death and why the authorities have failed to afford him adequate protection. Those involved in the previous attempt on his life, in particular the police, must also be investigated to establish whether or not they have any involvement in his murder.

The AHRC writes letter to the UN Special Rapporteur on Extrajudicial, Summary, or Arbitrary Executions and Special Representative of the Secretary General for human rights defenders calling for interventions in this matter.

To support this appeal, please click here:

SAMPLE LETTER:

Dear ___________,
PHILIPPINES: Labour leader who survives an earlier attempt on his life is killed
Name of victim: Gerardo Cristobal (35), a resident of Barangay (village) Malagasang II, Imus, CaviteAlleged perpetrators: unidentified armed menPlace of incident: Barangay (village) Malagasang, Imus, CaviteDate of incident: At around 8am, 10 March 2008.

I am shocked to learn that Gerardo Cristobal (a.k.a. Gerry), a labour activist who survived an attempt on his life in April 2006 had been shot dead on March 10, 2008. He was riding in his service vehicle coming from his place when armed men riding in another vehicle open fired at him and the vehicle he was driving. Gerardo died instantly due to multiple gunshot wounds he suffered during the attack.

I am aware that prior to his killing, Gerardo had earlier survived an attempt on his life by perpetrators later identified as a member of a police intelligence unit and security forces. However, none of those involved in previous attack on him have been held to account.

In fact, I have learned that Gerardo was instead been charged for supposedly attempting to murder the policeman and members of security forces who actually were responsible in attacking him.

I am also aware that Gerardo's colleague, Jesus Servida (a.k.a. Buth), was shot dead in December 2006, eight months after the first attack on Gerardo. Two other workers were also wounded during the said attack. However, I am not aware of any progress regarding these two separate incidents; nor the perpetrators responsible been held to account. None of those involved in shooting Jesus to death, wounding the two workers, and the first attempt on Gerardo's life have been held to account.

Also, I am deeply concerned by the reported action taken by the Scene of the Crime Operatives (Soco) in Gerardo's case for allegedly not properly conducting investigation at the crime scene. I have been informed that instead of conducting proper onsite investigation, the police have instead reportedly instructed a funeral parlor to take the victim's body out with them.

In so doing, I am seriously concerned that even at the early stage of investigation it has already been undermined as a result of the police' negligence and inaction. I urge you to look into these allegations seriously and have the policemen involved investigated.

It is disappointing that human rights and labour activists has since been continuously becomes target of these killings and atrocities. I am aware that this is not the first time wherein an activist is killed after surviving an earlier attempt on their lives. I am extremely shocked by this deteriorating condition and the continued lack of protection for human rights and labour activists in the country.

I therefore urge you that any action taken in Gerardo's case must be effective and adequate, in particular of ensuring that those responsible are held to account.

Yours sincerely,

-------------------

PLEASE SEND YOUR LETTERS TO:

1. Mrs. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo
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
E-mail: corres@op.gov.ph

2. Mrs. Purificacion Quisumbing
Commissioner
Commission on Human Rights
SAAC Bldg., Commonwealth Avenue
U.P. Complex, DilimanQuezon City
PHILIPPINES
Fax: +63 2 929 0102 Tel: +63 2 928 5655 / 926 6188
E-mail: drpvq@yahoo.com

3. Deputy Director General Avelino Razon
Chief, Philippine National Police (PNP)
Camp General Rafael Crame
Quezon City
PHILIPPINES
Fax: +63 2724 8763 Tel: +63 2 726 4361/4366/8763
E-mail: bluetree73@gmail.com

4. Mr. Raul Gonzalez
Secretary
Department of Justice (DoJ)
DOJ Bldg., Padre Faura1004
Manila
PHILIPPINES
Fax: +63 2 521 1614
E-mail: agnesdeva@yahoo.com

5. Gen. Hermogenes Esperon
Chief of Staff
Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP)
AFP-GHQ Offices, Camp Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo
Quezon City
PHILIPPINES
Fax: +63 2 911 6436 Tel: +63 2 911 6001 to 50

Thank you.

Urgent Appeals ProgrammeAsian Human Rights Commission (ua@ahrchk.org)

The 29 suspects, including three police officers and 11 soldiers and three paramilitary personnel, were involved in 15 cases. While most of the charges were dismissed, there were notable convictions including the one involving the three suspects in the Marlene Esperat killing.

“We are continuing our coordination with various government agencies specifically the prosecution and the courts to immediately resolve the cases involving these suspects, majority of whom are already behind bars,” said Task Force Usig commander and concurrent PNP Director for Investigation and Detective Management, Director Jefferson Soriano.

Soriano vowed to bring justice to the cases of the murdered activists and journalists and for the peace of mind of their families. “We are doing everything in our capacity to arrest and bring to the bar of justice the suspects in these killings.”

The list of suspects were included in Soriano’s report to National Police Chief Avelino Razon Jr.

The list includes Sgt. Rowie Barua, Estanislao Bismanos, Jerry Cabayag, Randy Grecia, Estrella Sabay and Osmena Montaner, all suspects in the murder of Marlene Esperat of the Midland Review in Tacurong City, Sultan Kudarat on March 2, 2004. Barua, Sabay and Grecia were eventually acquitted for lack of evidence while Bismanos, Cabayag and Grecia were convicted.

They are detained at the Tacurong City Jail.

Senior Police Officer 4 Apolonio Medrano and civilian Basilio Yadao were arrested on Nov. 18, 2004 for the murder of dzJC radio broadcaster Roger Mariano in July 2004; PO1 Aaron Golifardo, arrested and detained at the Puerto Princesa City Jail on May 24, 2006 for the murder of popular Puerto Princesa City dyPR radio announcer Fernando ‘Dong’ Batul and PO1 Guillermo Wapile, convicted in 2003 for the slaying of Edgar Damalerio, a dxKP announcer and editor the Zamboanga Scribe in Zamboanga del Sur on May 3, 2002.

Also listed were S/Sgt. Herbert Liguan, who was arrested on Aug. 18, 2006 for the murder of Rolly Canete, a commentator of dxPR in Pagadian City on Jan. 20, 2006 although he posted bail on Oct. 8 last year; M/Sgt. Antonio Torilla, Didok Anama and Leo Indangan, arrested for the murder of newsman Benjaline Hernandez in Kidapawan City.

Torilla posted bail on March 8, 2002 while Anama was acquitted for lack of evidence and Indangan remains jailed. There was also Perfecto Bonlawon, a member of the Citizens Armed Forces Geographical Unit who was arrested for the killing of leftist activist Peter Dangian in Tabuk, Kalinga but released from jail after he settled his case. (Jaime Pilapil)

Police said Freddie Lintuan was instantly killed in the attack that occurred at around 10 a.m. “We still don’t know the motive of the killing. There is an investigation going on,” policeman Anthony Suniel told the regional newspaper, the Mindanao Examiner.

No other details were made available by the police, but extra-judicial killings are rampant in Davao, where several journalists also had been murdered in the past. Among them were Ed Palomares, Cezar Magalang, Narciso Balani, Rogie Zagado in 1987 and Juan Pala Jr., in 2003.

Last week, a freelance journalist, Romelito Oval Jr., was also killed and his body buried in a shallow grave on a remote village in Butuan City in southern Philippines.

To date, more than 900 people have been killed and hundreds missing since President Gloria Arroyo took office in 2001, according to the United Methodist News Service. Among the victims are dozens of lawyers, judges, and church leaders.

In Davao City, hundreds of people had been killed the past years and most of them were suspected criminals believed murdered by private gangsters belonging to the shadowy group called Davao Death Squad.

In October, a Filipino broadcaster, Jose Pantoja, was shot and seriously wounded in front of the Mindanao State University in Iligan City. The attacker fled after the shooting.

In August, unidentified gunman also shot and wounded another broadcaster, Manuel Kong, of the radio station dxSN, in Surigao City.

Five journalists had been killed and two others wounded in separate attacks in the Philippines since early this year, according to the National Union of Journalists.

The Philippines is branded as one of the most dangerous place for journalists because of unresolved killings. Dozens of journalists were killed the past years and most of the cases remain unresolved. (Mindanao Examiner)

“A significant number of the hundreds of extrajudicial executions of leftist activists in the Philippines that have taken place over the past six years are the result of deliberate targeting by the military as part of counterinsurgency operations against the communist rebels,” said Philip Alston, the Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions.

The report which is accessible on this URL http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=24799&Cr=philippine&Cr1= was released on Tuesday. And the Philippine military has strongly denied the allegations it was behind the killings.

During a fact-finding mission earlier this year to the South-East Asian nation, Mr. Alston – who serves in an unpaid, personal capacity – investigated the killings in depth.

He interviewed victims or witnesses to 57 incidents involving 96 extrajudicial executions. He met with Government officials of all ranks, including local military commanders as well as the President, as well as with the leaders of the communist rebels’ National Democratic Front (NDF).

In a statement, he said he was “encouraged” by various measures adopted recently by the Government and by the fact that he had met with the country’s Executive Secretary in New York, but also stressed that those responsible for killings must be prosecuted and punished to stop them.

“The Government has undertaken a range of welcome reforms, but the fact remains that not a single soldier has been convicted in any of the cases involving leftist activists,” he said.

“In some parts of the country, the armed forces have followed a deliberate strategy of systematically hunting down the leaders of leftist organization,” Mr. Alston noted. “As commander-in-chief, the President must take concrete steps to end such operations.”

Since 1968, the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) – which has an armed faction, the New People’s Army (NPA), and a civil society group, the NDF – has aimed to revolutionize what it views as the country’s “semi-feudal” society.

The Rapporteur said that the military officers he interviewed “relentlessly pushed” the theory that such extrajudicial executions had in fact been committed by the rebels to simultaneously remove spies while discrediting the Government, and he reviewed all of the documentation provided to support this idea.

“The military’s argument that the leftist activists who have been killed are the victims of a ‘purge’ by the rebels is strikingly unconvincing and can only be viewed as a cynical attempt to displace responsibility,” he said.

The Rapporteur criticized the rebels themselves for participating in some extrajudicial executions of civilians who are not directly involved with the hostilities and the death threats they have made against political opponents.

“The death sentences imposed by their ‘people’s courts’ provide only a veneer of legality for what is really vigilantism or murder,” he said.

During his visit to the Philippines, Mr. Alston also investigated extrajudicial executions in western Mindanao and the Sulu archipelago, which have seen armed conflict involving several insurgent and terrorist groups, including the Moro National Liberation Front, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and the Abu Sayyaf Group.

Since witnesses in the regions live in great fear and it is difficult to ascertain who is responsible for abuses, he said that bolstered human rights monitoring is crucial to protect the civilian population.

Mr. Alston also looked into the actions of a death squad in Davao City on the island of Mindanao, interviewing victims and witnesses as well as speaking with local police, military officers and the mayor.

“The mayor’s position that he can do nothing to stop men without masks from routinely killing children for petty crimes in full view of witnesses lacks all credibility,” he said in the report. “Mayor Duterte should be stripped of his control over the local police, and the national Government should assume responsibility for dismantling the death squad and prosecuting its members.”

To date, more than 800 people have been killed and hundreds missing since President Gloria Arroyo took office in 2001, according to the United Methodist News Service. Among the victims are dozens of lawyers, judges, and church leaders.

“There has been an unprecedented increase in violations of human rights, and the brazenness, brutality and impunity by which they are being perpetrated by the military, police, paramilitary groups and death squads under the command, control, inducement or tolerance of the administration of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo have reached alarming proportions,” the National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers stated, according to UMNS.

In response, the general secretary of the World Council of Churches (WCC), the Rev. Dr. Samuel Kobia, who spoke last Wednesday at a press conference in Manila, called for stronger ecumenical advocacy efforts to bring the Philippines under international scrutiny.

Kobia reaffirmed the WCC’s “unequivocal condemnation” of the extrajudicial killings and its “grave concern” regarding the increased militarization of the Philippines, according to WCC.

The leaders of the ecumenical body said the WCC will bring victims of human rights abuses in the Philippines to the upcoming session of the Geneva-based U.N. Human Rights Council, which the country is a member of.

“We condemn the ongoing practice of the Philippine government and the military of labeling and persecuting the churches, pastors and church workers who work for justice, peace and protection of human rights as subversives or communists,” Kobia said.

Attention was brought to the killings of several church workers and pastors in recent months, including the “brutal stabbing” of Philippines Independent Church Bishop Alberto Ramento in October last year, Kobia told journalists.

In August, Philippine Supreme Court Chief Justice Reynato Puno, a United Methodist, called a summit in Manila to expose the crisis. In the following months, the number of killings decreased, but the number of disappearances rose, according to Edre Olalia, international officer for the Counsel for the Defense of Liberties.

“There’s a perceptible shift after the worldwide condemnation and concern and especially after the summit,” Olalia said.

WCC’s Kobia called for the Philippines government to “take necessary action to stop the enforced disappearances” and “put an end to extrajudicial killings.” He also called for “an immediate and impartial investigation of all recent extrajudicial executions.” (Ethan Cole)

It said Pastor Martin Ambong, of the Jesus Is Lord Ministries, was killed on Friday in the village of Perez in Kidapawan City in North Cotabato province. He was stabbed at least 16 times and that his face was also flogged by a hard object.

Villagers discovered the body of the 48-year old Ambong near his church. “Villagers have seen his body first lying near the church on Friday morning,” it said.

It said police is still investigating the murder.” The Pastor was staying at mission house. Mostly he used to spend his time over there,” it said. “Pastor Martin Ambong has no known enemies. Such a good and humble man he was.”

No group or individual claimed responsibility for the murder, but extra-judicial killings are rampant in the Philippines.

The National Council of Churches in the Philippines said at least 12 clergy and lay members were killed since 2004. Others were abducted or arrested and most of them were human rights activists, members of progressive political parties and vocal critics of logging, mining, militarization and other destructive projects in the various provinces. (Mindanao Examiner)

Sinabi ngayon araw ng pulisya na binaril sa ulo sa dayuhan na tubong lalawigan ng Fujian sa China.

Hindi pa mabatid ang motibo sa pagpatay, ngunit sinabi ng pulisya na walang kinalaman ang hold-up sa krimen dahil nabawi pa sa bangkay ang kanyang cell phone, alahas at wallet.

Hindi naman agad ibinigay ng pulisya ang pangalan ng biktima at ipababatid poa umano ito sa Chinese Embassy. Tinatayang nasa 40 taong gulang ang biktima at may negosyo umano sa Davao.

Malaki naman anhg hinala ng iba na ang DDS ang nasa likod ng pamamaslang dahil marami na itong napatay at pinaniniwalaang private goons sa lungsod.

Talamak ang patayan sa Davao at mistulang inutil naman ang mga awtoridad sa kadahilanang ni isang miyembro ng DDS ay walang nadarakip dito.

Daan-daan mga katao na ang napatay ng DDS s amga nakalipas na taon at karamihan sa mga itinumba nito ay mga umano'y kriminal o kaya ay may mga records sa pulisya. (Mindanao Examiner)

DAVAO CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Oct. 1, 2007) — A Filipino human rights group on Monday praised the Supreme Court for upholding the Writ of Amparo that would protect citizens from human rights abuses and extra-judicial killings and enforced disappearances in the Philippines.

Kelley Delgado, Karapatan Secretary General, said the Wri