 | Katungod-Sinirangan Bisayas-Karapatan | Oct 29, 2008 |
Katungod-Sinirangan Bisayas-Karapatan (KATUNGOD-SB) is a regional alliance of provincial formations of Katungod, sectoral mass organizations, Human Rights (HR) desks, programs and services and individuals who believe in the class-based orientation in struggling for human rights and human dignity. KATUNGOD-SB is an affiliate organization of KARAPATAN (or the Alliance for the Advancement of People’s Rights), a national alliance of regional or territorial chapters, progressive, sectoral organizations, HR institutions (desks, programs and services) and individual advocates working for the recognition, advancement and protection of human rights. VISION The HR advocacy work remains as an integral part of the Filipino people’s struggle for national liberation and democracy. It therefore works and struggles against state repression and fascism, and unites with all other oppressed sectors/classes to fight the perils brought about by monopoly capitalism, feudalism and bureaucrat capitalism, which are the root cause of the present-day neo-colonial and neo-feudal Philippine society. The struggle for class-based human rights ultimately envisions a just and progressive society where human rights are regarded, advanced, protected and realized to the fullest. MISSION To rally and unite the Filipino people particularly the basic masses and the middle forces of Eastern Visayas for the advancement, protection and promotion of social, economic, political, cultural and civil rights, and struggle against the systematic oppression and repression brought about by the state and its machineries, its local agents and foreign perpetrators. PROGRAMS AND SERVICES 1. Research and Documentation 2. Education and Training 3. Legal Assistance 4. Campaign and Advocacy Katungod's mandate is to monitor the Government of the Republic of the Philippine's compliance to International Human Rights Laws that it signed (e.g. Universal Declaration of Human Rights, International Convention on the Civil and Political Rights, Convention on the Child's Rights, etc.). Press Statement
November 2, 2010 In search of the disappeared
The whole Christian community celebrates November 1 and 2 (All Saints Day and All Souls Day) in remembrance of their departed loved ones. This is the time where the whole family come together to offer flowers and prayers and light candles on the tomb of their loved ones. KATUNGOD – SB – KARAPATAN, the regional alliance for the advancement of people’s rights, has long been commemorating November 3 as the regional day of the disappeared. Enforced disappearance is termed as the worse case of human rights violation. It puts into uncertainty the family and loved ones of those who become desaparasidos. Families of the disappeared are forever in the dilemma on whether to offer prayers for their loved one or to continue their search, to accept the loss or to find ways to ascertain the whereabouts, to be forever filled with questions whether their loved one is in good condition, being treated humanely, being provided with food, clothing, and shelter, or whether their loved one will still be coming home. This dilemma creates the cruelest form of mental torture known to man. In the Region, the implementation of Oplan Bantay Laya I and II under the fascist US – Arroyo Regime have left 28 families feeling this mental torture. The alliance have documented 28 cases from 2004 – 2009. These cases includes the abduction of Jacquiline Paguntalan and Rolando Fortaliza in the year 2004, abduction of Narciso Parani, Jovito Velasco, and Patricio Abalos in the year 2005, Gloria Pabillon, Mary Joy Opo, and Romualdo Balbuena in the year 2007, and Ruth Gecaro and Nito Dacles in the year 2009. Majority came from the peasant sector and peasant organizers. They were abducted on reasons that they were suspected and branded as members of the New People’s Army (NPA). Circumstances of these cases lead to the conclusion that these cases were perpetrated of agents of the State. The case of Paguntalan and Fortaliza points to members of the Internal Security Unit (ISU) while the cases of Parani, Velasco, and Abalos points to the participation of members of the military then under the command of Ret. General Jovito Palparan. On this day, the Regional Alliance calls upon the people of Eastern Visayas to never forget the cases of the desaparasidos, to be vigilant in condemning this acts made by agents of the State, and to show support and to be one with the families of the desaparasidos in their search for their loved ones. RESURFACE ALL THE DISAPPEARED! Labor union leader released from jail
Last October 13, 2010, by order of the Regional Trial Court Branch 8, Tacloban City, labor union leader and Anakpawis Partylist Nominee Vincent “Bebot” Borja was released from the Tacloban City Jail.
It can be remembered that Borja was arrested last May 7, 2007 in Ormoc City by the elements of the 19th Infantry Battalion led by then Battalion Commander Col. Lope Dagoy using the warrant of arrest of a certain “Tata Borja”. During the last hearing, witnesses appeared and testified in open court that Bebot Borja is not Tata Borja, the principal accused in the case. In that juncture, the court has no recourse but to release Bebot Borja.
The arrest of Borja and the rest of the political prisoners in the Region and in the country is the result of the implementation of the Oplan Bantay Laya II wherein its legal component includes making and filing trumped up cases against leaders and members of the progressive organizations and partylists.
As of the today, the region has a total of 15 political prisoners, six of them were females. The release of Vincent “Bebot” Borja only goes to show that these trumped up cases will eventually be dismissed. The implementers of OBL II and the succeeding counter-insurgency programs of the State can never silence the people in its struggle for human rights, genuine land reform and national industrialization.
Onwards with the struggle!
Free all political prisoners! Press StatementSeptember 3, 2010Remembering the martyrs of the people’s struggle;
Victims of state fascism
The first week of September has seen many cases of extrajudicial killings from 2005 to 2009, from Northern Samar, Samar, Eastern Samar, and Leyte. In three years (2005, 2008 and 2009) the Alliance has documented 12 cases of extrajudicial killings: seven (7) in 2005, three (3) in 2008, and two (2) in 2009. The Regional Alliance pays its highest respect and salutation to the martyrs of people’s struggle.
September 1, 2005- Isoy Fajardo and Fortunato Quibado, both from western samar, from the peasant sector.
- Atty. Norman Bocar from Eastern Samar, BAYAN – SB Regional Chairperson.
- Engr. Dalmacio Cepeda, Benedicto Gabon, and Ryan Cabrigas, SAMELCO II employees.
September 2, 2005 - Jolito Tobino, member of ANAKBAYAN, from Northern Samar, from the Youth sector.
September 3, 2008- Jimmy Anday, Chito Catubay, and Ronald Catubay, from Eastern Samar, from the peasant sector.
September 5, 2009- Romulo Mendova, member of a local peasant organization that is a member organization of SAGUPA – SB, from Western Samar, from the peasant sector.
September 6, 2009- Fr. Cecilio P. Lucero, from Northern Samar, a parish priest and a human rights advocate.
The counter-insurgency plan Oplan Bantay Laya I and II claimed many lives: lives of leaders and members of progressive organizations and progressive partylists and lives of those whom agents of the state suspects to be members the New People’s Army (NPA). It is worth noting that on this string of cases, no one came close to its quest for justice. Some cases reached the regular courts; most cases reached the Commission on Human Rights, but these efforts failed to put a face on those “motorcycle riding men in tandem”. On the other hand, the steadfast resolve of the people to fight and to advance human rights, we were able to put a face on those “motorcycle riding men in tandem”. They were agents of the state whose mandate came from Oplan Bantay Laya I and II whose main objective is to “neutralize” the leaders and members of progressive organizations and partylists. We have also established their pattern of surveillance and casing, vilification campaign, and harassment against those targeted by the state for “neutralization”. It is therefore proper for us to demand from the new Aquino Administration to immediately scrap and junk Oplan Bantay Laya II which it recently announced its extension and to prosecute the known human rights violators, Gen. Jovito Palparan and Gloria Macapagal – Arroyo, among others. ### June 2, 2010
NEWS RELEASE
Ginbuyagyag han mga parag-uma tikang ha bungto han Albuera, Leyte nga padayon an panarhog ha ira han mga elemento han 19th Infantry Battalion, Philippine Army dara han pagtahap ha ira nga nasuporta hira ha New People’s Army (NPA) tungod nga nagsuporta hira ha Anakpawis Partylist dida han nakalabay nga piniliay.
Ha usa nga pakighimangraw han Katungod-Sinirangan Bisayas kan Lourdes Galano, Tagapangulo han Mag-uuma nga Nagkahiusa sa Albuera (MANA), usa nga grupo han mga parag-uma ha Albuera, ngan pira pa nga parag-uma tikang ha nasabi nga bungto, gintarhog hira han mga militar han ginpatawag hira ha eskwelahan han Brgy. Antipolo, Albuera. Usa ka oras gin-interoga ha eskwelahan dida han Mayo 19, 2010 an pira nga mga parag-uma para akusahan hira nga nasuporta ha NPA ngan umundang na pagsuporta ha Anakpawis Partylist ngan kanda Satur Ocampo ngan Liza Maza nga dumalagan ka Senador.
“Usa kabulan antis matapos an pakyas na nga kontra-insurhensiya nga kampanya han rehimen US-Arroyo, an Oplan Bantay Laya II (OBL II), kun diin mga parag-uma an prinsipal nga naiigo, desperado nga pitad ini han militar para pirit nga isumpay an mga ligal ngan progresibo nga partylist, organisasyon ngan kandidato ha NPA para padayon nga tagan-rason an ira binuhatan nga panmatay ngan panalapas han tawhanon nga katungod,” pahayag ni Flor Chantal C. Eco, Secretary-General han Katungod-Sinirangan Bisayas.
Dugang pa ni Eco, ginpadangat liwat han mga nasabi nga parag-uma nga mayda usa nga trese anyos nga batan-on nga lalaki nga ginbanyakan han usa nga sundalo han waray ini maibaton han pakianhan ini kun hira hin-o an mga nagpapakaon han mga NPA ha ira baryo.
“Klaro ini nga pagtalapas han Convention of the Rights of the Child, Comprehensive Agreement on the Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL) ngan iba pa nga mga internasyunal nga balaud han Human Rights kun diin pumirma an Gobyerno han Republika han Pilipinas (GRP) ngan nagsaad nga ipapatuman ini ngan rerespetuhon an tawhanon nga katungod han mga Pilipino,” dugang pa ni Eco.
Sumala pa ha iya, yana nga tikatapos na an OBL II, dapat maging mabinantayon an mga mulopyo han rehiyon ha bisan ano nga mga panalapas han tawhanon nga katungod nga binuhatan han mga elemento han estado agud maatuhan ngan maundang ini.
Nanawagan naman an Katungod-SB ha mga natutungdan nga mga ahensya nga panginanuon ini nga mga kaso hin panalapas han tawhanon nga katungod ngan an dagmit nga pagpaiwas ha mga kampo han militar ngan pagpaundang han pag-operasyon ha sulod han mga komunidad nga nagbubutang ha kadelikaduhan han kinabuhi han mga diri armado nga mulopyo han mga komunidad.###
|  | This letter was received by Atty. Kat's mother last April 16, 2010. |
April 22, 2010
NEWS RELEASE
Human rights watchdog Katungod-Sinirangan Bisayas lambasts suspected military
agents who sent a death threat letter to Katungod-SB’s former Secretary-General and its
current Legal Officer, Atty. Kathrina Castillo. The letter was received by her mother last
Friday, April 16, 2010 at their ancestral house in Catbalogan, Samar which was sent via
snail mail.
“There is no one except the military who has the motive to send a death threat to Atty.
Castillo since she is known to be an active human rights defender and a critic of human
rights violations perpetrated by state agents especially the military,” said Flor Chantal
Eco, Katungod-SB’s Secretary-General.
The letter, which was signed by a certain Ricardo I. Picardal from Tarangan, Samar, said
that they “found out that you [Atty. Castillo] continue your alliance with the enemies of
democray, progress and peace-the CPP-NPA-NDF and its Partylists.” A black ribbon is
stapled to the letter “that will remind you [Atty. Castillo] that your life, as well as your
family, is only a privilege.” The letter ended with the threat: “if death becomes you, you
may rest in peace.”
“Atty. Castillo’s personality has always been attacked in confirmed military sponsored
radio programs “Dalan han Kamatuoran, Dalan han Kauswagan” in DYMS Catbalogan,
and “Bantay Ka” in DYDW Tacloban, both anchored by Col. Armand Rico hiding as
“Kuya Aaron”. The military has consistently linked her to the CPP-NPA-NDF. Her name
has been mentioned in almost every episode of their programs,” furthered Eco.
According to Katungod-SB, this is a systematic red-baiting by the military to justify the
harassment, abduction and killings of personalities and members of progressive groups
and partylists.
“At first the military consistently attack Atty. Castillo’s personality in their radio
programs, then a death threat arrives, now they accuse that the death threat is a result of
NPA’s purging, what’s next? Shoot her? This pattern has been evident in many victims
of extrajudicial killings nationwide,” added Eco.
Despite the death threat, the military has failed to scare off Atty. Castillo; instead, the
threat roused rage from her family, members and supporters of Kabataan Partylist
where she is the 3rd Nominee and fellow human rights defenders.
“Death threats will not stop us from exposing the truth and defending the people’s
rights,” Eco concluded. ###
March 18, 2010
NEWS RELEASE
Nagpahayag hin suporta ngan simpatiya an Katungod-Sinirangan Bisayas, Alyansa Pagpanalipud han Tawhanon nga Katungod, ha pamilya ni Freddie Anido, an ginpatay nga General Manager han Abucay Bus Terminal ha syudad han Tacloban.
“Makangaralas nga pusil pirmi an ginbabaton ha mga tawo nga nagkukuwestiyon ha mga anomaliya ngan kurapsyon ha gubyerno. Nagiging kultura na ha Pilipinas nga natindog ngani an usa nga tawo para ha katadungan ngan kamatuoran, papatayon la hiya hin basta-basta,” pahayag ni Flor Chantal Eco, Secretary-General han Katungod-SB.
Nagpahayag gihapon han pagkabaraka an grupo nga bangin diri masolbar dayon an kaso ni Anido pareho han mga biktima han ekstrahudisyal nga panmatay pareho kan Atty. Felidito Dacut, mahitungod nga posible daw mayda poderoso nga tawo nga nagpapaluyo hini nga pagpatay.
Usa nga kilala nga tagdepensa han katungod han mga trabahador ngan parag-uma hi Atty. Dacut nga ginpatay dida han ika-14 han Mayo, 2005. Makalabay an lima katuig, waray la gihapon hustisya nga nakakab-ot an iya pamilya.
Antis patayon hi Anido, ginkuwestyon hini an naging pagpadalagan han terminal nga iya ginpamunuan hin pira la ka-adlaw antis hiya patayon.
“Tungod na gihapon han samwak nga kultura dinhi ha Pilipinas nga libre nga nakakapanmatay nga diri nasisirutan an tinuod nga kriminal (culture of impunity), sanglit diri nahahadlok an mga naghimo hini nga mga panmatay,” pahayag pa ni Eco.###
March 17, 2010NEWS RELEASEUsa na naman nga parag-uma an bumisita ha syudad han Tacloban para igbuksas ha kahanginan an ginhimo nga panalapas han tawhanon nga katungod han mga kasundaluhan nga nag-ooperasyon ha Samar.Ginbuksas ni Bertino Maistre, 60 anyos, nga ginkastigo hiya hin duha sundalo nga nakilala-an pinaagi han ira mga nameplate nga hira ANGEL ngan FRANCISCO, mga elemento ilarum han 34th Infantry Battalion, Philippine Army, dida han Marso 2, 2010 ha Brgy. San Nicolas, San Jose de Buan, Samar. Usa nga Lt. Latonio an nangunguna han grupo han mga sundalo nga nagkastigo kan Maistre.Gingapos an mga kamot han biktima ha iya likod, ginpiringan ngan ginsul-uban hin plastic an ulo samtang makadamo hiya nga ginsuntok ha dughan ngan tiyan. Gin-upod pa an biktima, ngan an iya 7 anyos nga anak ha operasyon han mga sundalo pagkakinabuwasan Marso 4 na hira ginbuhian.“Nagpapadig-on ini nga insidente han aton maiha na nga pagkita nga mga parag-uma an prinsipal nga naaapektuhan han kontra insurhensiya nga kampanya han gobyerno ni Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo,” pahayag pa ni Flor Chantal Eco, Secretary-General han Katungod-SB.Sumala pa ha iya nga responsibilidad han militar nga proteheran an mga mulopyo ngan diri an pagkastiguhon hira kun waray naibabaton han ira mga pakiana.Subay han biktima, ginpinakianhan h iya kun hain dapit an kampo han New People’s Army (NPA) antis ngan katima hiya pagkastiguhon.“Ginsasaluduhan namon an damo na nga mga parag-uma nga lumugsong ha ira mga baryo para igbuksas an mga binuhatan han mga ahente han estado nga panalapas han tawhanon nga katungod. Angay padig-unon pa han mga komunidad an pagkaurusa para mas epektibo naton nga mapanalipdan an aton mga katungod ngan kontrahon an bisan ano nga pag-abuso han mga ahente han estado,” pahayag pa ni Eco.### February 23, 2010
NEWS RELEASE
“Duro kamahugaw an mulay han 8th Infantry Division, Philippine Army para desperado nga ipatuman an Oplan Bantay Laya II amo nga bisan gintatahapan la nga anak hin mga
myembro han New People’s Army ginagagaran nga sikmiton ngan ipapagawas nga kuntalos gin-rescue tikang ha mga kamot han rebolusyonaryo nga grupo,” pahayag ni Flor Chantal C. Eco, Pangkabug-usan nga Sekretaryo han Katungod-Sinirangan Bisayas katima maireport an insidente han pagsikmit han mga militar han 16-anyos nga hi Michelle Adelantar.
Gin-report han magurang nga bugto ni Michelle nga ginkuha hiya han mga elemento han
34th Infantry Battalion, Philippine Army dida han ika-3 han Pebrero, 2010 samtang nakadto ha ira umhanan ha Sitio Salvacion, Brgy. San Nicolas, San Jose de Buan, Samar.
Nakumpirma han pira nga taga Sitio Salvacion nga tikang ha detachment han militar nga
mayda gindara nga bata nga babaye ha nasabi nga detachment. Gin-turn over hi Michelle ha Department of Social Welfare and Development ha San Jose de Buan ngan hasta yana in ada ha kustodiya han ira panrehiyunal nga opisina ngan diri la gihapon ginpapagawas ha luyo han paningkamot han iya bugto nga makuha hiya.
“Waray maghatag katugutan it balaud nga pwede basta-basta na la sikmiton, kuhaon o
arestuhon han mga ahente han estado an bisan hin-o tungod la kay mayda hiya kapamilya nga kaaway han gobyerno,” sumala pa kan Eco.
Dugang pa niya, diri gin-iiba han militar an mga armado ngadto ha mga diri armado pareho han mga aktibista, mga parag-uma nga gintatahapan la nga tagsuporta, kapamilya o kaapi han NPA nga asya an prinsipal nga nagiging biktima han mga panalapas han tawhanon nga katungod nga binuhatan han militar.
Gin-aalegar han 8th IDPA nga anak hin mga kumander han NPA hi Michelle nga asya an
rason kun kay ano ginkuha hiya han 34th IB.
Gin-ayat naman ni Eco an Commission on Human Rights nga panginanuon an nasabi nga
kaso ngan an Department of Social Welfare and Development nga ig-release ha
pinakamadagmit nga panahon hi Michelle ngan diri maghinimo-himo hin damo nga rason para la igdelatar an pagpagawas ha iya.###
December 10, 2009 PRESS RELEASE
Oplan Bantay Laya (OBL), the government’s counter-insurgency program, has been the government’s number one weapon to spread state terrorism here in Eastern Visayas for the past nine years where army’s 8th Infantry Division (ID) has been its full implementer. OBL’s implementation has resulted to more than a thousand deaths and other human rights violations nationwide causing a reign of terror and culture of impunity especially in the region. The real perpetrators, state agents under the 8th ID, are allowed to go scot-free and not one has ever been prosecuted leading them to continue their reign of terror in the countryside and even in the towns and cities. From January 2001-October 2009 under the Arroyo regime, Katungod-Sinirangan Bisayas (SB) has documented 126 victims of extrajudicial killings and 27 victims of enforced disappearances. For the same period Karapatan has already documented 1,118 victims of extrajudicial killings, 204 victims of enforced disappearances and 1,026 victims of torture nationwide. Other rights violations have also been rampant: physical assaults, threats and harassments, illegal arrests and detentions, coercion, forced evacuations and displacement, and food and economic blockade among others. The military has done nothing but to deny their violations and propagate that someone is behind whenever victims come out to expose these violations in the media and complain in the local government and other concerned agencies. Likewise, concerned government agencies have been nothing but machineries for the implementation of OBL. Despite this worsening human rights situation, the people of Eastern Visayas have determinedly exposed and opposed the 8th ID and the Arroyo regime’s terrorism. Because of this, OBL is a hopeless campaign to stop the people from fighting. Now above all, especially in the height of martial law in Maguindanao and with its threats to spread all over the country, we must further unite and intensify our fight to defend human rights and end this fascist regime. ### December 9, 2009
NEWS RELEASE
Human rights group in the region, Katungod-Sinirangan Bisayas paid tribute to slain human rights defender priest, Fr. Cecilio Lucero in a mass held today, 6:00 PM at the Redemptorist Church, Tacloban City. During the mass, a tribute was read after the homily. After the mass, a candle lighting vigil and a program was held outside the church to pay tribute to Fr. Lucero and other victims of extrajudicial killings in the region.
The tribute was a nationally coordinated activity led by human rights group Karapatan and church organization Promotion of Church People’s Response (PCPR).
“Today’s tribute is timely given tomorrow is Human Rights Day and Fr. Cecilio Lucero was an active human rights defender who led several fact finding missions to investigate alleged military abuses in Northern Samar and took an active role as Chair of the Human Rights Desk of the Diocese of Catarman’s Social Action Center,” said Flor Chantal Eco, Katungod-Sinirangan Bisayas’ Secretary-General
It can be recalled that Fr. Lucero was ambushed-killed last September 6, 2009 in San Jose, Northern Samar while driving his van on his way to his parish in Catubig, Northern Samar.
“It’s disappointing that the authorities investigating Fr. Lucero’s case dismissed the angle of his human rights advocacy as a possible motive for the killing. This further proves the collusion of government agencies to implement Oplan Bantay Laya 2 to let the culture of impunity reign and let the real perpetrators be scot-free,” Eco further stated.
She added that justice is very futile for Fr. Lucero’s family as well as other victims of extrajudicial killings and other human rights violations under the Arroyo regime because of its fanatical and desperate implementation of its counter-insurgency campaign to suppress the people fighting to change the rotten system.
“Despite this current situation, we must not be disheartened; instead, we should be more vigilant and active in defending the people’s rights against the tyrannical rule of the Arroyo administration,” Eco finished. ###
December 9, 2009
NEWS RELEASE
Human rights group in the region, Katungod-Sinirangan Bisayas paid tribute to slain human rights defender priest, Fr. Cecilio Lucero in a mass held today, 6:00 PM at the Redemptorist Church, Tacloban City. During the mass, a tribute was read after the homily. After the mass, a candle lighting vigil and a program was held outside the church to pay tribute to Fr. Lucero and other victims of extrajudicial killings in the region.
The tribute was a nationally coordinated activity led by human rights group Karapatan and church organization Promotion of Church People’s Response (PCPR).
“Today’s tribute is timely given tomorrow is Human Rights Day and Fr. Cecilio Lucero was an active human rights defender who led several fact finding missions to investigate alleged military abuses in Northern Samar and took an active role as Chair of the Human Rights Desk of the Diocese of Catarman’s Social Action Center,” said Flor Chantal Eco, Katungod-Sinirangan Bisayas’ Secretary-General
It can be recalled that Fr. Lucero was ambushed-killed last September 6, 2009 in San Jose, Northern Samar while driving his van on his way to his parish in Catubig, Northern Samar.
“It’s disappointing that the authorities investigating Fr. Lucero’s case dismissed the angle of his human rights advocacy as a possible motive for the killing. This further proves the collusion of government agencies to implement Oplan Bantay Laya 2 to let the culture of impunity reign and let the real perpetrators be scot-free,” Eco further stated.
She added that justice is very futile for Fr. Lucero’s family as well as other victims of extrajudicial killings and other human rights violations under the Arroyo regime because of its fanatical and desperate implementation of its counter-insurgency campaign to suppress the people fighting to change the rotten system.
“Despite this current situation, we must not be disheartened; instead, we should be more vigilant and active in defending the people’s rights against the tyrannical rule of the Arroyo administration,” Eco finished. ###
October 22, 2009 NEWS RELEASE
Katungod-Sinirangan Bisayas lambasts 8th Infantry Division’s denial that Army’s 14th Infantry Battalion committed human rights violations in interior barangays of Gen. Mc Arthur, Eastern Samar, as claimed by farmers from the said town in a dialogue between the army and farmers last October 5, 2009. “Farmers will not go through all the efforts in initiating a dialogue between them and the military and mobilizing 600 farmers if their rights were not violated and if they were not in the right reason,” said Flor Chantal Eco, Katungod-Sinirangan Bisayas’ Secretary General in a statement today. “Farmers are far more credible than the armed forces.” She furthered that the military has repeatedly called that if there are abuses done by the military, the people should not be afraid to report it to them, but now that the farmers themselves made the move to expose the issue, they’re denying the allegations and refuses to take action. “The army repeatedly denied the farmers’ allegations that the 14th IB committed violations saying that the violations were committed by the 62nd IB who formerly operated in the area. Now they’re admitting that there were indeed violations committed by the army, but have they addressed the issue?” added Eco. During the dialogue, farmers testified that the 14th IB harasses residents in the barangays and refuses to follow the barangays rules that they should sign in the barangay’s log book so they will be able to identify the soldiers whenever they operate in barangays. The farmers also accused the soldiers of posing as members of the New People’s Army (NPA). Moreover, the army kept insisting that the Mayor of the town doesn’t know the farmers who initiated the dialogue. “Common sense tells us that the Mayor knows the people who initiated the dialogue because he facilitated it, why would he facilitate it if he doesn’t know them? The farmers, including barangay officials of the said town consulted him several times before the dialogue,” said Eco. “Now, if they’re really promoting human rights, follows protocols, why didn’t they sign the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) presented by the farmers? The farmers just wanted a written agreement that the army that operating in their town will not commit any human rights violations, what are they afraid of? Easier prosecution thru the MOA because there is a big possibility that they will not comply?” Eco ended. ### | | The memorial built for Fr. Cecilio Lucero is located at Brgy. Layuhan, San Jose, Northern Samar where Fr. Lucero's van and body was found. |
October 21, 2009
PRESS RELEASE
A copy of an Order of Battle (OB) list was given to the National Fact Finding team who
was investigating the killing of human rights advocate priest Fr. Cecilio Lucero last
October 9, 2009 in Northern Samar. An unidentified state forces asset handed over the
copy of the document to one member of the team. The OB list revealed that the military
listed several members and former members of legal progressive organizations in the
province of Northern Samar.
The document revealed that it was a MONTHLY INTELLIGENCE SUMMARY (Period
Covered 06 July 2009-09 August 2009) dated August 9, 2009 submitted by Cpt. Husain A. Esmael, Acting Brigade S2. It stated that the Task Group Peacemaker, from the 803rd Infantry Brigade, Philippine Army, based in Catarman, Northern Samar “was deployed to the area of Catarman” and has conducted “information drives on AFP Education and Awareness program” and from these activities, “knowledge on CT (communist-terrorist) dominated organizations and activities from some of the students and residents came out.” Because of the “activities initiated by the task group” they have “inflicted fear unto the CT dominated organizations.”
In this report, names of personalities of progressive and party-list organizations in
Northern Samar were listed in the OB of the Philippine Army. The organizations listed
were Gabriela, Bayan Muna and BAYAN. Included in the list is Bayan Muna Partylist
member Dr. Bartolome Resuello who was ambushed-killed last April 1, 2009 in
Pambujan, Northern Samar by still unidentified men while Fr. Cecilio Lucero who was
also ambushed-killed last September 6, 2009 in San Jose, Northern Samar was also
mentioned.
Furthermore, students of the University of Eastern Philippines (UEP) who are members
of the University Student Council (USC) and also affiliated with the League of Filipino
Students (LFS), and the university’s student publication who are affiliated with the
College Editors Guild of the Philippines (CEGP) are also included in the OB list.
The report also reflected the Task Group Peacemaker’s move in “neutralizing” some
members of the LFS by talking to their parents and showing them videos like “Knowing
the Enemy” which links legal progressive organizations to the revolutionary group New
People’s Army (NPA).
This military intelligence report is quite alarming because names listed under the
military’s OB are subjected to surveillance, especially the students, while two of the
mentioned names in the list turned out dead this year. It has been experienced in the
past that names that are listed in an OB experienced harassment, some were abducted,
and worst, killed. This has been experienced, not only in the region but also in other
parts of the country where human rights violations is rampant.
The disclosure of this military intelligence report only further proves our claims that
under the government’s counter-insurgency program, Oplan Bantay Laya II, members
and leaders of legal progressive organizations are equated with the armed revolutionary
group to justify the killings and abductions of legal personalities and other human rights
violations perpetrated by the U.S.-Arroyo regime.
We must not be deceived by the lies that the Army’s 8th Infantry Division is propagating
that they respect human rights because victims of military abuses and their own
documents says otherwise.
The situation tells us the need for our firm resolve and unity to defend and promote
human rights in order to prevent further human rights violations committed by state
forces. Only through the united effort of the people of Eastern Visayas will we be able to
defeat Oplan Bantay Laya II. ### October 6, 2009
PRESS STATEMENT
Katungod-Sinirangan Bisayas commends the farmers of Gen. McArthur, Eastern Samar
for their militant stance in defending their rights against abuses of state agents,
especially against the Philippine Army. They were able to mobilize around 600 farmers
from different interior barangays from the said town to show their force for the dialogue
conducted between the farmers and the army’s 14th Infantry Battalion (IB) yesterday at
the town of Gen. McArthur. Representatives from the Commission on Human Rights
(CHR), church, and Gen. McArthur’s Local Government Unit (LGU) also attended the
said dialogue who served as moderators while Katungod-SB’s Legal Counsel Atty.
Kathrina Castillo served as counsel for the farmers’ panelists.
The dialogue was pushed thru the efforts of AKAP NA KAMO (Alyansa han
Nagkakaurusa nga Parag-uma, Negosyante ngan Barangay Konseho/Alliance of
Farmers, Businessmen and Barangay Council) because of the long history of human
rights violations in the interior barangays in Gen. McArthur perpetrated by elements
from different military units which operated in the town. The dialogue’s objective is to
sign a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the officials of 14th IB and AKAP NA
KAMO stating that the said soldiers will not commit any rights abuse against the
farmers of the said town and that they will adhere to human rights and humanitarian
laws.
Unfortunately, representatives from the military refused to sign the MOA during the
dialogue because, according to them, they have to study the agreement first. The draft
MOA is only a reiteration of existing human rights and humanitarian laws which is
recognized by international conventions and our country’s constitution.
Their refusal to sign the MOA follows their denial that they are committing abuses by
forcing farmers to sign documents, conducting interrogations and operations inside
civilian communities, and deceiving them by posing as members of the New People’s
Army (NPA) which is in relation with the government’s anti-insurgency campaign,
Oplan Bantay Laya 2 (OBL 2).
We believe that the military used that reason to delay and avoid signing a MOA that will
bind them where it would be easier to prosecute elements belonging to the 14th IB if they commit any violation to the agreement. It only shows that they are not sincere, and will never be sincere, in upholding human rights.
As part of OBL 2, the state and its agents will not allow itself to be bounded with
agreements that will hold them accountable for their abuses. We must follow the
militance and unity of the farmers from Eastern Samar. They have successfully showed
to us that it could only be through the united effort of the people will we be able to
effectively defend our rights. ###
September 21, 2009NEWS RELEASE“We strongly condemn the spate of killings of innocent civilians and activists in theprovince of Northern Samar perpetrated by no other than state agents, including themilitary,” stated Katungod-Sinirangan Bisayas’ Secretary General, Flor Chantal Eco.
In an article by Joey Gabieta in Leyte Samar Daily Express entitled “2 NPA rebels killedin clash,” it was reported that on August 27, 2009, two members of the New People’sArmy (NPA), identified as Elo Basiloy and Gerwin Marino, was killed in Brgy. Somoroy,Lope de Vega, Northern Samar in a skirmish between the rebels and elements from the63rd Infantry Battalion, Philippine Army, based in Catubig, Northern Samar.“Just recently, Elinor Morillo, 30 years old, a victim of a frustrated massacre in Brgy.Somoroy, Lope de Vega, Northern Samar, who is currently in a sanctuary, reported thathe was able to escape a strafing incident last August 27, 2009 perpetrated by elements of the 63rd IB, PA, which killed two of his neighbors,” added Eco.Jojo (Elo as reported in the article) Basiloy, 28 years old, a Brgy. Councilor of Brgy.Somoroy, Lope de Vega and Jerwin Marino, 19 years old, also a resident of the saidbarrio, was brutally killed by elements of the 63rd IB, PA. The three (3), includingMorillo, was working on their abaca in Sitio Pili, Brgy. Somoroy, when around 30uniformed and armed soldiers from the 63rd IB, PA passed by and brought them to anearby hut. The soldiers made the 3 farmers drop to the ground, which they didn’t obey, and immediately sprayed them with bullets. Morillo was able to escape the soldiers when he ran for his life to the nearest village.Eco furthered that, “the military has repeatedly denied its accountability in extrajudicial killings. Instead, they claim their victims as members of the rebel group who died in an encounter to justify the killings they did, like in the case of Basiloy and Marino.”Katungod-Sinirangan Bisayas has documented four (4) cases of extrajudicial killings,with five (5) victims in Eastern Visayas this year; four (4) of them came from NorthernSamar.“The people of Eastern Visayas must be vigilant in advancing the people’s rights. Wemust not allow the government’s counter-insurgency program to win. The counterinsurgency program, Oplan Bantay Laya II, not only targets the NPA but also civilians and legal activists. Only thru the united stand of the people can we defeat the continuing fascist regime of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo,” Eco concluded. ### September 8, 2009NEWS RELEASEFarmer killed in Basey, Samar
A day before human rights advocate Fr. Cecilio Lucero was ambushed on Sunday morning, a farmer in Basey, Samar was killed Saturday afternoon in Sitio Cambabang, Brgy. Cogon, Basey. Romulo “Muloy” Mendoba, a 43 year old farmer, was gunned down using a short high-powered rifle and .45 caliber gun by an unidentified assailant who wore a wig. He was sprayed with bullets in front of his wife and two children and a neighbor while they were on their way home to Brgy. Cancaiyas, Basey. Muloy is a member of Kapunungan han Basaynon nga Parag-uma (KABAPA), an affiliate organization of regional peasant group Samahan han Gudti nga Parag-uma ha Sinirangan Bisayas (SAGUPA-SB).We strongly condemn this series of brutal killings of leaders of organizations who areadvocating for social change and advancing the interest of the people,” expressed FlorChantal Eco, Secretary General of Katungod-Sinirangan Bisayas.Muloy was summoned to the camp a day after the New People’s Army’s (NPA) August 30, 2009 attack on the CAFGU (Civilian Armed Forces Geographical Unit) detachment in Brgy. Cancaiyas. The military alleged that he was involved in the NPA’s attack.“Being accused of being involved in an attack by the rebels against the military is strongmotive enough to point at the involvement of the military in killing Mendoba. It has been the military’s practice that whenever they were attacked by their armed enemies, they will take revenge on the civilians—especially the farmers—and then they would be scot-free after doing their crime,” added Eco.She furthered that the people of Eastern Visayas should not allow this culture of impunity to continue and not let the government’s counter-insurgency campaign, Oplan Bantay Laya 2 (OBL 2), succeed. OBL has not only been pointing its gun at the rebels but also at civilians suspected as supporters of the NPA and leaders and members of legal progressive organizations and government critics.“Let us all stand united in condemning the continuing extrajudicial killings in the regionand pressure concerned government agencies to take action in solving these killings. Wemust strongly unite in defending and fighting for our basic human rights,” Ecoconcluded.### September 7, 2009NEWS RELEASEHuman rights advocate priest killed
“We condemn the brutal killing of Fr. Cecilio Lucero, a Catholic priest, yesterdaymorning, September 6, 2009 in Sitio Fuente, Brgy. Layuhan, San Jose, Northern Samar,while on board a van. He was killed by unidentified men wearing ski masks and carryinghigh-powered rifles,” said Flor Chantal Eco, Katungod-Sinirangan Bisayas’ Secretary-General in a statement today.Fr. Lucero is a member of the Promotion of Church People’s Response (PCPR) inNorthern Samar and an active human rights advocate. He’s the parish priest of theCatholic Church in Catubig, Northern Samar and the Chairperson of the Social ActionCenter (SAC) of the Diocese of Catarman.Before the incident, Fr. Lucero has already been receiving threats from the military andhas observed that he’s under surveillance.“It is clear that he was killed because of his involvement in human rights advocacy.Many farmers run to him to ask for assistance every time the military commits humanrights violations,” Eco added.She furthered that no one is to be blamed but the Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo regime thruits counter-insurgency campaign, Oplan Bantay Laya 2 (OBL 2). As part of OBL 2, thegovernment, thru the military, targets civilians suspected as supporters of the NewPeople’s Army (NPA), members and leaders of legal democratic organizations and criticsof the government.“We call on the concerned authorities to conduct a real investigation that will trulyprosecute the true perpetrators. A lot of Task Force has been formed in the region toinvestigate extrajudicial killings but not one has still been prosecuted. We also call onthe people of Eastern Visayas to be vigilant in defending and promoting human rights.Our human rights will not be easily protected unless we are united fighting for it,” Ecoconcluded. ###
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