Stop Political Killings In The Philippines at Public Service Alliance of Canada

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Stop The Political Killings!

Since Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo assumed power in January 2001, there are now more than 903 reported cases of extra-judicial killings and more than 200 cases of forcible disappearances in the Philippines. It is now the 2nd most dangerous country for trade unionists. Despite this terror, the Filipino people�s resistance continues.

Use the form below to send an email to Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo (President of the Republic of the Philippines), Sec. Jesus D. Dureza, (Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process), Sec. Raul M. Gonzalez (Secretary of Justice), Jesus A. Verzosa, (Deputy Director General, Chief Philippine National Police), Gilberto Teodoro Jr. (Department of National Defense), and Hon. Leila M. De Lima, (Chairperson, Commission on Human Rights) as well as an email to Lawrence Cannon (Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs).

Demand justice and human rights in the Philippines now!

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Your Message to the Philippine Government: use the provided letter, or write your own …
Subject:
I am aware of the continued political killings, enforced disappearance, arrests and political persecution by targeting members of opposition parties and those who are critical of the Philippine government. I am writing to express my grave concern over the illegal arrest, torture and continued detention of the three human rights defenders mention below. Name of victims: 1. Archie Bathan, 22 years old, a student leader for the Youth for National Democracy (YND) and presently secretary general of the Nuclear-Free Bataan Movement (NFBM). 2. Raffy Limcumpao, 49 years old, a peasant activist. 3. Domingo Alcantara, late 40's, he is a community organizer and husband of Kathy Alcantara, an activist killed in December 2005. They are all presently detained at the Bataan Provincial Jail, Bataan. Alleged perpetrators: Elements of the Philippine National Police's (PNP) 303rd Provincial Mobile Group (PMG) of the Philippine National Police (PNP), and the 72nd Military Intelligence Company and 3rd Infantry Battalion of the 703rd Brigade of the Philippine Army (PA) Date and time of their arrest: 27th May 2009 at 5pm Place of the incident: At the house of Patricio Esconde, a barangay tanod (village watchman) in Barangay Ibaba, Bubuyog Street, Samal Bataan When the police and soldiers, attached to the 303rd Provincial Mobile Group (PMG) and units from the 703rd Brigade of the Philippine Army (PA) respectively, arrested them from the residence of a local village watchman, they neither produced arrest warrants nor informed them of the nature of charges against them. Although it is reported that one of them, Rafael, did have an arrest order issued prior to the incident, it was not shown to him. The manner of their arrest is contrary to the rules and existing procedures on effecting arrest orders. Thus, the police and the soldiers who took part in arresting and subsequently detaining them are complicit to these illegal acts. I am also extremely disappointed by the manner in which the police and the soldiers treated these three victims after their arrest. I have been informed that Rafael, Domingo and Archie were kicked and hit with riffles simultaneously over several parts of the body while they were being searched and handcuffed. They also performed "Russian-roulette" on Archie by blindfolding him and hitting his ears unexpectedly on several occasions. Domingo also suffered bruises to the face and chest due to the number of blows he received while in custody. Rafael was beaten and was suffocated by a thick plastic bag. I have been informed that the three victims have been forced into admitting that they are members of a rebel group, the Rebolusyunaryong Hukbong Bayan (RHB) of Marxist-Leninist Proletarian Party (MLPP). Also, the police, who presented them before a local press conference reinforced these claims by accusing them of being rebel leaders and acting as legal fronts of this rebel group--as it has also been widely reported in the media. I am aware that this is happening at the same time that there are people�s protest to the possible revival of the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant (BNPP). Bathan and Alcantara are actively organizing against the BNPP with other people�s organizations in the area. First, I am deeply concerned that even though the police are claiming these persons' alleged involvement in a rebel movement, the fact that they did not lay the charges in a correct manner has denied the men the opportunity to defend themselves. Thus, the police actions have left the men little chance to clear their names. Second, I am aware that the Philippine National Police (PNP) has already been observing policies which prohibits them from presenting in public persons suspected of or accused of crimes. However, the case of these three victims illustrates otherwise. Thus, I urge you to have this incident investigated and to ensure that actions are taken against those who violated this policy. Third, I urge you to ensure that the victims' allegations of having been illegally arrested, tortured and being charged with fabricated charges are thoroughly investigated. I have been informed that the evidence alleged to have been obtained from the victims, for instance the firearms and explosives, are reported to have been planted. Though these types of allegations are nothing new it is also important to ensure that any allegations, in particular of torture and fabrication of charges, are seriously looked into. Since 2001 more than 900 activists have been murdered and 200 cases of forcible disappearance in the Philippines. We condemn the continuing political targeting of activists in the Philippines and demand that the government of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo bring the perpetrators to justice and end the impunity. Many of the victims of human rights violations, enforced disappearances and extra judicial killings in the Philippines are members of organizations that fight for their democratic rights, but are often painted as revolutionary army sympathizers to instill fear and intimidation among the general populace. I remind you that the Philippine Government is a signatory to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and thus it is bound to observe all of the provisions of this Declaration. Stop the political killings, enforced disappearances, and human rights violations in the Philippines now! Yours sincerely,
Your Message to the Canadian Government: use the provided letter, or write your own …
Subject:
Petition against the human rights violations of the Philippine government of President Gloria Arroyo and calling on Canada to act now To the House of Commons: We, the undersigned, express our grave concern regarding the human rights violations committed by the Government of the Philippines under President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. We are aware that the Government of Canada has expressed being 'deeply concerned' by the extrajudicial killings in the Philippines. In a response to petitions filed in the House of Commons, the former Minister of Foreign Affairs Peter MacKay 'acknowledges the steps undertaken by the Government of the Philippines and Philippine civil society to stop extradjudicial killings and continues to urge thorough and timely investigations and prosecution of perpetrators.' However, we wish to draw the House's attention to the fact that the Government of the Philippines has done nothing effective to stop the killings and disappearances. No prosecutions have taken place. The culture of impunity is thus perpetuated, leaving the families of victims still seeking justice. President Arroyo continues to implement the counter-insurgency program, Oplan Bantay Laya - to which UN Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions Professor Philip Alston partly attributes the increase in extrajudicial executions. Killings and disappearances are still taking place. In light of the failure of the Government of the Philippines to do anything effective to stop the killings and disappearances, we believe that the Canadian government's response to this situation is inadequate. We urge the House to request the Canadian government to immediately take the following concrete steps to help end the killings and disappearances in the Philippines: 1) Review Canada's current relations with and withdraw all military aid, bilateral aid and multilateral aid to the Philippine government while the political killings and other violations of human rights continue to occur; 2) Redirect Canadian partnership aid towards progressive community-based groups that advocate genuine development and uphold human rights and the dignity of life; 3) Pressure the Philippine government to respect international human rights covenants and agreements; and 4) Hold a Parliamentary Hearing on the human rights situation in the Philippines.

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Latest case details

(According to the information received from the Kilusan Para sa Pambansang Demokrasya (KPD) and the Task Force Detainees of the Philippines (TFDP))

The three human rights defenders, Rafael Limcumpao, Domingo Alcantara and Archie Bathan, were having a meeting at a house in Samal, Bataan when combined elements of the Philippine National Police (PNP) 303rd Provincial Mobile Group (PMG), a unit from the Military Intelligence and the 3rd Infantry Battalion, all under the 703rd Brigade of the Philippine Army (PA), arrested them at 4pm on 27th May 2009.

More Resources & Information

AI: �Investigate and end political killings�

INQUIRER.net
First Posted 15:13:00 03/16/2009

MANILA, Philippines � The human rights organization Amnesty International (AI) has urged the government to �take immediate steps to end politically motivated killings in the Philippines,� following the murders of a journalist, a rebel�s daughter, and an anti-mining activist in Mindanao over the past three weeks.

Another journalist, Cagayan de Oro�s Nilo Labares, was also shot and wounded during the same period.

In an statement dated March 12, AI cited the killings of broadcaster Ernesto Rollin in Oroquieta City on February 23; Rebelyn Pitao, the daughter of New People�s Army commander Leoncio Piteo, whose body was found March 5, a day after she was abducted in Davao City; and anti-mining Eliezer Billanes, who was gunned down in Koronadal City March 9.

The organization said it welcomed the �public commitment of the National Security Adviser Norberto Gonzales and Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte to investigate the murder� of Pitao, which her family and activist groups blame on the military.

AI said it would �monitor the progress of this and other investigations, which must be prompt, effective, independent, and impartial. It is only through such investigation that impunity for political killings will end.�

It also urged the government to �institute safeguards to protect human rights defenders and journalists, who are conducting legitimate activities� and renewed calls for �authorities to take further steps to improve investigations and prosecutions of political killings,� including �the use of independent forensic expertise and the creation of an independent body to monitor investigations to ensure impartiality.�

AI also noted that witnesses in cases of extrajudicial killings under investigation �are particularly vulnerable to intimidation and reprisals, and sometimes even death.�

�Many have complained repeatedly about the failure of the police to provide protection for them and their families, and said they have lost confidence in the ability of the Department of Justice to provide protection,� it said.

It also said that, since Task Force Usig, the special police unit created in 2006 to investigate extrajudicial killings following international pressure on the government, has had �limited success in ensuring justice for survivors and families of victims.�

The victims� families, it said, �often cite flaws in the justice process, such as delayed investigations, inadequate crime scene analysis leading to a lack of forensic evidence, and unwillingness to interview suspected military and police personnel.�

Nonoy Espina

News Archive

April 2008
Listen online to Satur Ocampo, President of the Bayan Muna ("People First") Party: http://www.cbc.ca/thecurrent/2008/200804/20080415.html

Dec 3 2007
Arroyo Gov�t on the Defensive, But Extrajudicial Killings Continue - read the article

July 11 2007
Petitions regarding the political killings in the Philippines were presented were presented by NDP, Bloc and Liberal MPs in the Canadian House of Commons. Read more at parl.gc.ca

July 1 2007
Philippine Supreme Court dismisses charges against 'Batasan 6' - gmanews.tv

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