REPORT OF THE
BALAOD-MINDANAW FACTFINDING TEAM
06 June 2009

I. NARRATION OF EVENTS

a. Narration of Evangeline Peñas, Noland Peñas and Gerry Merida

At around 11:30 am, we arrived at the residence of Manong Rene Peñas situated along the national highway in Barangay, San Vicente, Sumilao, Bukidnon, where we met his family. We talked to his wife Evangeline, his son Noland, and his nephew Gerry Merida.

In the course of our interview with them, they narrated that Manong Rene and his two other companions (Elizer Peñas and Samson Dollete) were ambushed at around 11:45 pm while they were on their way to the farm to take Mr. Dollete to his house which is situated just near Nong Rene’s farm.

We were also informed that in the morning of June 5, 2009, Manong Rene attended the barangay committee hearing on the amendments of barangay ordinances held in the barangay hall. Together with other barangay officials, he took his lunch at the barangay elementary school where the teachers were having a “despedida” party for their fellow teacher who was leaving the school and at the same time a welcome to the teacher replacing her.

At around 3:00 pm, he went home to get dressed to go to Kisolon to buy poultry feeds and supply of rice for the family. He brought the feeds to his farm house. Noland said that he was at the farm house when Rene arrived there. Noland also narrated that from the farm house, he proceeded to the store of Neneng where he drank Tanduay with Elizer Peñas and Samson Dollete at around 5-6pm.

b. Narration of Elizer Peñas

Elizer recounted that Nong Rene invited him for a drink and while on their way to the store, they met Samson. Samson obliged Manong Rene’s invitation to join them.

At around 7:00 in the evening, Rene, together with Elizer went home to continue their drinking session while Samson already went home. Rene and Elizer left the house at around 9:00 pm and fetched Samson from his house. They proceeded by motorcycle to the Impasugong poblacion but along the way, they stopped at the gasoline station in Kisolon for a gasoline refill. While at the gasoline station, they met Richard Cainoy and Eusebio Ubal-ubal aka Boyong who also had their own motorcycle and were planning to go to Impasug-ong tourism area for a drink as well. Rene, Samson and Elizer went to the Impasug-ong tourism area and Cainoy and Boyong followed.

Elizer said that while they were drinking, two unidentified women and a man arrived and sat at another table next to them and also drank. Nong Rene warned them that the three were “CIs” (or spying on them). They, however, did not take Rene’s warning seriously.

At around 11:00 pm, they decided to go home. Cainoy and Boyong rode on their motorcycle, while Elizer and Samson went with Nong Rene. Nong Rene was driving the motorcycle, Elizer sat in the middle, and Samson sat on the rear.

Upon reaching Barangay San Vicente, they decided to take the road beside the retention area of Carlos Estate. According to Elizer, they usually take that road when going to the farm as they could not pass the other road that passes near the Freedom Hall (the building being used by the Sumilao farmers as their office and meeting area).

When they were around 500 meters from the highway (where there were already no more houses and the area was dark as there were no street lights) Rene had to slow down because that section of the road was slippery and muddy. To the left side of the road was a corn field and there are bamboo trees to the right.

Elizer recounted that as the motorcycle slowed down he saw sparks and heard gunshots. He was not able to see the assailant because the area was very dark. They did not realize that they were already hit on the first shot. They only realized that they were being ambushed. Their motorcycle crashed to the ground on the second shot. They heard Rene say “Noy sibat namo kay nasamdan ko, patay ko ani” (Noy you have to flee. I am hit and I may die.) It was at this time that Elizer said that he felt something hot on his right arm.

Elizer said that he heard three (3) gunshots. He saw Samsom backtrack towards the highway while he crawled to the right side of the road. He did not look back. He said he then ran for his life and went to Rene’s house along the highway.

Elizer also said that a relative of Nong Rene went to the police station to report the incident. But the police did not immediately respond. They had to carry Elizer to the police station to prove that the report was true. It was only during that time that the police were prompted to respond.

At around 2:00 am, Samson arrived in the house behind Rene’s house. He sustained gunshot wounds on his right foot (shin) and left ankle. These wounds might have been the reason why it took him two (2) hours to reach the sitio. Elizer, on the other hand, sustained a gunshot wound on his right arm. He believes that the bullet hit and pierced through Rene’s first before it hit him. Rene sustained 8 gunshot wounds scattered on his right chest and right arm. And there were three exit wounds on his back.

According to Noland, a certain Alex Abragan noticed two persons running past their house towards Kulaman river. We were not, however, able to personally talk to Alex. But his wife confirmed that they indeed hear an undetermined number of persons running past their house moments after they heard the gunshots. The house of Alex Abragan is around 500 meters from the crime scene.

At around 3:00 am, the police investigated the incident. They were able to talk to Elizer and Samson, but the two were not able to mention the assailant/s. Thereafter, Elizer and Samson were brought to the old Bukidnon Provincial Hospital at Malaybalay city. Later however, Samson was discharged and was brought to a safe house at Kisolon. Elizer on the other hand was transferred at the New Bukidnon Provincial Hospital, Casisang Malaybalay City.

c. Narration of Alipio Tumangdang

At around 12:00 noon, we went to the Sumilao Municipal Police Station upon receiving information PJ De la Peña of ABS-CBN that a suspect is already in the custody of the Sumilao Police.

At the Sumilao Municipal Police Station, we were able to secure a police spot report. We were also able to interview the suspect, Mr. Alipio Tumangdang. From him we were able to obtain the following information:

• He denied the charges against him. He said that he was in his house the whole day attending to his farm. His house is situated just around 400 meters away from the crime scene at the left side of the road (if one is facing Kulaman river).
• He said that at the time of the incident, he heard a male voice calling for help (“tabang”), but was not able to respond out of fear. He, however, said that he did not hear any gunshot because he was fast asleep. It was his wife who woke him up after hearing gunshots.
• He further said that after taking breakfast, he then went to his relative in Brgy. Maluko, Manolo Fortich to construct a fish pond for tilapia. It was here where the police from Sumilao arrived and arrested him. He was brought to the Sumilao Police Station. He also said that the police told him that he was identified by Mr. Samson as the assailant. Mr. Samson, according to him, was a friend, but that they seldom meet recently.
• He said that he knew Rene as a kagawad of their barangay; that he holds no grudge or had any quarrel with Rene.
• He admitted that he is not the owner of the lot he is occupying and that he was able to cultivate the piece of land with permission from MARO (Edrolin) and Chief Bade, then the Municipal Chief of Police of Sumilao.
• He also said that he was the one who let Samson Dollete cultivate a portion of that area.
• The area that he is now cultivating is part of the 19 hectares that was awarded to a group of beneficiaries. Some of these beneficiaries are now reclaiming the area including the one that he cultivates. Because of this, a case of qualified theft was filed against him and is now pending at the provincial prosecutor’s office of Bukidnon. On his part, he filed a case against these beneficiaries before the DARAB, and his counsel is Atty. Cayatuna, a DAR lawyer.
• He said the he had not held any gun before.
• He also said that he once worked with Mayor Baula as farmworker.

During our short conversation with the police, they told us that Samson positively identified Mr. Alipio Tumandang as the assailant. Samson is allegedly being incommunicado in a safehouse which prevented the fact-finding team to interview him and verify what the police claimed that he positively identified the suspect as the gunman who shot and killed Rene and injured his companions. And according to the police, Samson was being transferred from one safe house to another.

The spot report contained suspicious facts:
• It reported that the police recovered 4 empty shells of shotgun (when only 3 gunshots were heard);
• That there were three assailants with one being held in custody and the other two still scot-free;
• That the victim, Rene Penas, “suffered gunshot wounds at the left shoulder and left chest that resulted to his instantaneous death…” This is not true because Mr. Rene Penas suffered gunshot wounds on his right arm and right chest.
• The report also contained a conclusion on Nong Rene’s profile, to quote: “xxx THAT THE VICTIM IDENTIFIED AS ONE RENATO PENAS Y CAWANG CMA 51 YEARS OLD CMA MRRIED CMA BRGY KAGAWAD CMA MAPALAD FARMERS LEGAL CONSULTANT ALPHA RESIDENT OF PUROK 2 CMA SAN VICENTE THIS MUNICIPALITY PD”

Questions in the results of the fact-finding raise:

1. On the theory that Rene was killed because of his involvement in the land dispute involving a 19-hectare landholding between the group of his companion, Samson Dollete and the group of the suspect, Alipio Tumangdang

• Why did Alipio not target Samson since he was his direct opponent in the land dispute? Why kill Rene only?
• Why did the suspect have to wait in ambush in the middle of the night in order to kill Rene when he could have easily killed him since they are next door neighbors?
• How could the suspect have accurately targeted Rene? How could he have known Rene was driving the motorcycle in pitch darkness?

2. On exploring other possible suspects who have motives to kill Rene

a. 94-hectare land balance of the 144-hectare commitment of San Miguel and Rene’s active involvement in the campaign for CARPER

• If the reason why Rene was killed is his involvement in land dispute cases, why single out the dispute in the 19-hectare landholding?
• Is Rene not involved in other land cases? Why not consider the continuing dispute in the 94 hectare balance (of the 144 hectares) which is supposed to be acquired by San Miguel Corporation for distribution to the Sumilao farmers? Why not consider the possible motives of people involved in this case (e.g the Baulas who have leased the 94 hectares to Del Monte instead of distributing the lands to the farmers in fulfillment of San Miguel’s commitment to the Sumilao farmers)?
• Why not consider the possible motives of those who were threatened by the active advocacy of the Sumilao farmers led by Rene for the resolution of the 144 hectares that caused the continued pursuit for the enactment of the CARPER law? Why not consider the active involvement of Rene who led the Sumilao march to Manila and the Banasi farmers in their land claim? Why not consider the threat that if the CARPER law is enacted, many landholdings will be subjected to CARP?

b. Series of unresolved killings of PAKISAMA peasant leaders in Mindanao in the last 7 months

• On November 22, 2008 PAKISAMA National Vice-Chairperson Vicente Paglinawan was gunned down by two motorcycle-riding gunmen in Davao City
• On March 9, 2009, Boy Billames, Secretary General of SAMATIKU – an affiliate of PAKISAMA in South Cotabato - was gunned down by a hooded gunman.
• Ka Rene is the current National Vice-Chairperson of PAKISAMA

3. Based on the testimonies above, there are other possibilities:

• If Rene’s suspicion that they are being spied upon, which he articulated to his companions, was accurate, does it not indicate that there were several persons involved in the murder? Does this not indicate that the killing was planned, coordinated, premeditated, and orchestrated
• Considering the darkness, how could the assailant/s know that that it was Manong Rene’s motorcycle that was approaching. Surely, there were other motorcycles which also passed by the road.
• Is it not possible that the persons Rene suspected to by spying on them at the Impasug-ong tourism area were the lookout for the gunman waiting in ambush? Does this not answer the question why the gunman knew the exact moment Rene and his companions will pass in that particular section of the road? Does this not answer the question why the gunman knew that Rene was the one driving the motorcycle and thus allow him to target Rene more accurately?
• How did the police conclude, in their spot report, that there were three assailants?
• Do these not indicate a more sophisticated scheme of ambushing Rene and his companions, which will also raise the possibility of this ambush being a professional hit especially that despite the darkness, the hitman shot Rene on a fatal part of his body with just three gunshots and that the place of the crime was deliberately selected for ambush? Does this likewise raise the inference that the choice of the shotgun as the weapon was deliberate?

4. On the haste being displayed by the police in “solving” or “closing” the case

• Why is Samson Dollete being held incommunicado?
• Why is the police zeroing-in on the “personal grudge” angle and disregarding other possible angles?
• Why did not the police respond immediately after they were informed that there was an ambush. Why did the relatives of Elizer Penas have to carry him to the Municipal Police Station to prove that there was indeed an ambush, and it was only on that occasion that they responded?

Twenty women in TamilNadu have undertaken the strongest form of struggle -‘Fasting Unto Death’ for the past 10 days demanding Soniaji to stop the War in Srilanka and Stop Genocide of Tamil people. The condition of five women who are under fast are very critical .

In Sri Lanka , Everyday around 200 to 300 Tamil civilians are brutally killed and thousands are gravely injured by the pouring down of gruesome cluster bombs, chemical bombs and poison gas bombs both at war zones and government announced safety zones. Thousands of melted and charred bodies remain as strong witness of usage of such bombs. Most of the victims are women and small children.

When international agencies and press are evacuated from the country, whatever information we get is only a small portion of reality. From the news we receive everyday, we are shocked to know that in the recent past atleast 60,000 people have been massacred and 3,00,000 people face death everyday.

Close allies of the Sri Lankan Government has revealed Mr. Rajapakse’s plan of annihilating the lakhs of remaining Tamil people within days using the Indian election fever. The congress central government headed by Ms.Sonia Gandhi extends all possible supports including army, ammunitions and funds to Srilankan President Mr. Rajapakse’s motive of annihilating the entire Tamil Population. The parties in Tamil Nadu that were making noise for the innocent Tamil civilians have also jumped into election and many treacherously align with the congress.

The media was revealing very little of the grave situation at Srilanka found excuse to defocus people attention to election.

At this juncture, the women’s organisations in the state of Tamil Nadu, who are protesting in their own way for the past two months, got united and decided to intensify the struggle. So, ‘Fasting unto Death’ was decided and twenty women are undergoing this strenuous form of struggle since 13th April 2009.

On 22nd April it reached 10th day of fasting. The twenty women are very active women activists of the state. They are Prof.Saraswathy, Ms.Sheelu, Adv.PandimaDevi, Dr.Neelavalli, Ms.Kameswari, Ms.ChitraDevi, , Ms.Usharani. Ms.Kavitha, Ms.V.Sasikala, Ms.Ponnuthai, Ms.Sumathi, Ms.Paliniammal, Ms.Lokanayaki, Ms.Jayamani, Ms.Shanthi, Ms.LawarenceSelvi, Ms.Philomenal. Ms.Joyice Mary, Ms.P.Sasikala and Ms.J.Thangamani

In support of the fasting women, widespread agitation is going on throughout the state on everyday basis. Thousands of women involved in relay fast, road blockade, Dharna before congress office, rally and other forms and have got arrested. It’s the unique experience of united women’s massive struggle. In support of women, youth and citizens concerned about the issue have joined the struggle.

Eventhough the plight and agony of Eelam Tamils are worth receiving National and International community attention and support, it is left out as the concern of Tamil people alone. Though we human rights activists of Tamilnadu have responded to the human right violations in Gujarat, Bengal, Orissa, Afghan or Iraq , we painfully observe, the Tamils alone fail to receive the concern of other state human right activists and humanitarians. There is no visible protest against this gruesome genocide, the pogrom, next to Jews. The entire Indian people support and protest will definitely help to safeguard the remaining Tamil Population in Srilanka. Even one day delay in responding means death of thousands in the island. We strongly appeal on behalf of the Tamils to come forward with visible forms of protests and join us to save the Tamils. It is already late, please act on emergency basis. Your pressure on congress government at this juncture will help to stop the war in Srilanka.



Earnestly seeking your solidarity,

Lidwin – Women’s Collective
Christina – Penngal Munnani (Women’s Front)
Beulah - IWID

(I got this from my email)

Two months ago I considered myself as one of those blessed and happiest people on earth. Why not? I married a guy who was an epitome of kindness. A guy who worshipped even the footsteps I made. More importantly, our union blessed us with a daughter who not only became the main source of our happiness….more so; she was the center of our lives.

We're simple folks who led a simple life. We felt the happiest even about mundane things and inconsequential ones that most people would only take for granted. Our joy mostly revolved on simple pleasures like a sudden trip to Jollibee or a late night marauding of the fridge for any leftovers. A perfect family with simple delights, dreams and aspirations………until that fateful night on December 5, 2008.The day my husband and daughter were taken away from me in a very violent way. That Friday night on December 5, 2008 marked the beginning of all the terror, anguish and misery in my life.

In keeping with my ritual or "panata" on every first Friday of every month, I went to Quiapo Church on the above mentioned date to pay homage and respect to the Almighty One. My husband and daughter were supposed to pick me up in Pasay City after which we planned on giving our daughter a treat to Jollibee. While riding the jeep, I tried to call my husband to tell him that I was on my way to our meeting place. But despite all the calls I made, my husband remained silent. A very unusual occurrence inasmuch as he seldom missed my calls. Despite my trepidation and wonder, I took the next jeep going home and prayed that everything was alright. I even promised to myself that I would forgive my husband for not answering my calls and for forgetting to pick me up.

I felt relieved when near our place my phone rung. Such relief was somehow only momentary….in fact the phone call I got was the bearer of the worst news in my entire life. My helper called, only to tell me that my husband and daughter were shot to death by "men in uniform". The same men who were sworned to protect innocent people from bad guys brutally slew the two most important persons in my life. They were the same men whose sacred duty was to preserve the lives of the public against all harm and danger. Yet…….they were the same men who murdered my love ones in the most cruel, savage and inhuman way.

My husband's face was unrecognizable because he was shot in the head at close range while he was kneeling with his head bowed down. My daughter's young body was riddled with bullets, one hit her head, blowing her brains out.., all from too powerful guns and ammunitions fired by the "men in uniform" on two innocent and defenseless persons.

The "men in uniform" were allegedly on a mission to take some gang of robbers victimizing people at large. The police shot the crosswind van my husband and daughter were riding Based on some witnesses' narration, the police sprayed bullets into the van despite the lack of provocation or shots coming from the van. In his last effort to save their lives, my husband grabbed my bloodied daughter and shielded her with his body while trying to run away from the police and tried to get cover from a parked jeepney My husband and daughter were so defenseless. How can you mistake a child for a robber? How can you shot at someone who was already kneeling with head bowed, an indication of helplessness.

My husband and daughter are gone…….forever. The pain I feel for their lost is too much too bear. And the only thing that motivates me to go on with life is the mission to seek justice for their senseless killing. If the people who are responsible for their death will be punished, if I could bring them the justice they so richly deserve, my pain would be alleviated. The misery I will live by will be lessened. My husband and daughter will be vindicated and I will learn to live the remaining years of my life in peace..

Thus: I'm asking and begging everyone who will come across this letter/e-mail to forward the same to all your relatives, friends, and acquaintances. . Help me bring my cause to the eyes of the people capable of steering the wheel of justice to the right direction. Help me make the loudest cry worthy of attention by those people in-charge in rendering justice to those who deserve it.

Strength comes in numbers; it is where the impossible becomes possible. It is also where the unattainable becomes achievable.

My heartfelt gratitude for everyone who will take a moment in their too busy lives and forward this letter/e-mail to everyone they know. May God always protect you and your love ones from all harm.

Lilian De Vera

Things have gone awfully wrong the past week. Rebelyn Pitao, was abducted and was later found dead in an irrigation canal in Carmen , Davao del Norte. Her mother Evangeline said her daughter was tortured, raped and stabbed to death. Her body bore a total five stab wounds from an ice pick;two stab wounds were above the breast, one of which hit the lung; two under the breast, one of which hit the liver eyes,blindfolded with a packing tape, she was strangled by a rope with a diameter three centimeter based on the markings around her neck. Her only crime was that she was the daughter of Leoncio Pitao.

Leoncio Pitao is the father of Rebelyn. He is better known as commander Parago of the New People’s Army who has been a pain in the ass for the military. He was responsible for the capture of Brig. Gen. Victor Obillo and Capt. Eduardo Montealot in February 1999 who were freed 58 days later in captivity. Commander Parago also led the raid on the Davao Penal Colony in April 2007. The killing was aimed at devastating her father who is the leader of Pulang Bagani Command but it had the opposite effect. Rebelyn’s father said in an interview that the killing of her daughter only strengthened his resolve in fighting for the revolution.

The killing of Rebelyn Pitao spurred an avalanche of condemnation and protest. From the street vendors to some lawmakers, many have been utterly disgusted over the brutal killing. Even the Moro Islamic Liberation Front or the MILF condemned it. Google the name Rebelyn Pitao, and you will be flooded with blogs, news and articles, all condemning the killing.

Fingers are all pointing in one direction and that is towards the military. Rebelyn’s mother did not mince words when she said the “evil, vicious men of the military intelligence group” was responsible for killing her daughter. The killing bears the mark of military precision and if you put the puzzle pieces together, it gets all the more clearer.

Rebelyn’s brother, Ryan, was hounded by military agents and was almost stabbed in 2005. Fearing for his life, the incident forced him to join his father in the NPA. In june last year, the younger brother of Commander Parago was shot dead in Tagum City by suspected military agents. Looming in the background is the Arroyo Government’s deadline to defeat and end the communist movement by the end of her term in 2010.

I think this is the reason why President Barack Obama won’t meet up with Arroyo. He can’t have his advocacy for Change be tainted with blood. The US Department of State in its 2008 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices in Philippines , cites Human Rights violations perpetrated by the government, extrajudicial killings and the killing of journalists and political activists. Desperate efforts in silencing dissent.

I wonder what happened to the case of Ka Vic Paglinawan, who was shot dead in Malabog, Davao City. He is a farmer leader and organizer who before his death was groundworking in Mindanao for the planned National Mobilization to press Congress to Reform and Extend the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program.

The killing of Rebelyn Pitao adds up to the list of Extra-Judicial Killings in the Philippines under the Arroyo administration.

(Photos from Mindanews.com)

The Valley Golf brawl has once again demonstrated the potential power of blogs to correct an injustice. In this case, the Pangandamans with a direct link to the President of Philippines being one of her Cabinet secretary and on the other hand the ordinary citizen, the De la Paz Family.

GMA must have her hands full these days, Pangandaman with his Valley Golf Brawl and Gonzales with his Alabang boys bribery case. These issues are distracting her from her main focus, Charter Change and term extension.

Ducky Paredes (http://www.duckyparedes.com/blogs/) has an interesting account of the incident saying that “he ignores the testimonies of the so-called victims or the alleged ruffians”. The De la Paz were the ones who started the fight. These are, he says, accounts from “caddies of parties, the marshal, the starter and other club personnel”.

But Bambee de la Paz wrote in her blog that “Right in the clubhouse. I came back after the fight was over and talked to the receptionists. They say they did not see anything. The general manager of Valley Golf would not give us the names of the men who made my brother's ear bleed. It took him an hour. Maybe even more than that. He seemed to not want to help us. Because, we were against the SECRETARY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRARIAN REFORM and the MAYOR OF MASIU CITY, LANAO DEL SUR. They were all scared.”

The Pangandaman’s did not see it coming. They did not expect the power a single blog post can do. It eventually tilted the power relations to what is now even playing field, with the Pangandaman’s on the now on the defensive end, trying to block the full force of the blogosphere. Its like Manny Pacquiao, the underdog versus the much bigger De La Hoya.

These are signs of Hope, a beacon of light for those who seek justice in an otherwise unjust system, justice finding its way out into what ever channels it can find.

STATEMENT ON ISRAEL'S WAR CRIMES.

Stop the War Coalition-Philippines
5 January 2008

We at Stop the War Coalition Philippines, a broad coalition of civil society organizations, social movements, labor unions, political parties, human rights, women's, students, religious and other organizations, strongly condemn Israel's war crimes against the people of Gaza and the international community.

These latest attacks are not only disproportionate, they are completely unjustifiable.

At the root of the continuing tragedy in the Middle East is the continuing illegal occupation of Palestine by Israel. That Israel is able to continue this occupation and that it is able to bomb and kill indiscriminately without restraint points to the incapacity of the international community, including the United Nations and the world's governments, to uphold peace and justice. It is this unwillingness to act that will ensure that more blood and tears will flow from this escalating war.

We in the Philippines must help stop this war not only because thousands of Filipino migrant workers are caught in the crossfire but because we have a stake in creating a world with peace and justice.

We at the Stop the War Campaign demand that Israel should immediately end its war crimes in Gaza and end the occupation of Palestine.

We demand that the United States immediately stops arming and funding Israel's war.

We call on the international community, the United Nations and all responsible international government and civil society organizations, to stop Israel from continuing its attacks and to support a just resolution to the crisis.

We demand that the Philippine government begins the process of severing all diplomatic ties with Israel until it complies with international law and ends the occupation of Palestine. At the same time, we also call for immediate relief and evacuation plans for Filipino workers in the region. We demand more jobs for Filipinos at home so that they will not be forced to seek employment in outlaw states.

As our elected representatives, our government should take a stand in favor of international law and justice, summon the Israeli ambassador to protest, and expressly condemn Israel for its actions.

We demand that Manila and other government units revoke their "sister city" ties with Israeli cities.

We call on our parliamentarians and diplomats to likewise denounce Israel's actions.

In solidarity with the Palestinian, as well as Israeli people opposed to war, we call on trade unions, universities, cultural organizations, political parties, and other social movements and civil society groups to be part of a global boycott and sanctions campaign against Israel.#


STOP THE WAR! COALITION- PHILIPPINES
1 October 2008

MEMBERS:
Akbayan! Citizens' Action Party
Akbayan! Youth
Alab Katipunan (AK)
Alliance of Genuine Labor Organizations (AGLO)
Alliance of Progressive Labor (APL)
ALMANA
Alyansa ng Nagkakaisang Lakas ng Kabataan (ALYANSA)
Alyansa ng Sambayanan para sa Agarang Reporma (ASAP)
Anak Mindanao (AMIN)
APPRA
ASSALAM Bangsamoro
ASSALAM Party
Bagong Kamalayan Collective, Inc (BKCI)
Balay Rehabilitation Center Inc.
Bangsamoro People’s Solidarity
Bukluran ng Manggagawang Pilipino (BMP)
Coalition Against Trafficking of Women Asia Pacific (CATW-AP)
Community Organizing and Rural Development, Inc. (Billah Islam)
Filipino Democratic Movement (FILDEM)
FOCUS on the Global South
Freedom from Debt Coalition (FDC)
Gathering for Peace (GfP)
GZO Peace Institute
Institute for Popular Democracy (IPD)
International South Group Network (ISGN)
Juan Makata
Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation Commission-AMRSP
K! Kalayaan NCR-BLC
KAAKBAY AFDM
KALAYAAN!
KANLUNGAN
Kilusan para sa Pambansang Demokrasya (KPD)
Kongreso ng Mamamayan Para sa Kalayaan (KOMPAK)
Laban ng Masa (LnM)
League of Urban Poor for Action (LUPA)
Liga Manggagawa (LM)
Lolas Kampanyera WW II Filipina "Comfort Women" Survivors of Japanese Military Sexual Slavery
MAKABAYAN Pilipinas
Manggagawa para sa Kalayaan ng Bayan (MAKABAYAN)
Mindanao Peoples' Peace Movement (MPPM)
Moro Human Rights Center
Movement for the Advancement of Student Power (MASP)
Pagkakaisa ng Kababaihan para sa Inang Bayan (KAISA-KA)
Pambansang Kaisahan ng Magbubukid sa Pilipinas (PKMP)
Pambansang Katipunan ng Makabayang Magbubukid (PKMM)
Pambansang Katipunan ng mga Samahan sa Kanayunan (PKSK)
Partido Manggagawa (PM)
Peace Women Partners
People’s Task Force for Bases Clean UP Philippines
Philippine Peace and Security Council (PPSC)
Philippine Rural Reconstruction Movement (PRRM)
Pinay Kilos! (PINK!)
Progresibong Alyansa ng Mangingisda (PANGISDA)
Progressive Organization of Worker Advocates (PRO-WORKER)
Resource Center for People’s Development (RCPD)
Samahan ng Demokratikong Kabataan (SDK)
SANLAKAS
Solidarity of Unions and Labor Organizations for a New Government (SULONG)
Strategic Initiatives of Pinoys Abroad - Bangkok (SIPA)
Student Council Alliance of the Philippines (SCAP)
Task Force Food Sovereignty (TFFS)
Task Force Subic Rape (TFSR)
Teatrong Bayan
Third World Movement Against the Exploitation of Women (TW-MAE-W)
Tulung Lupah Sug, Inc.,
UP Alyansa ng mga Mag-aaral para sa Panlipunang Katwiran at Kaunlaran (UP ALYANSA)
UP Assabiyah
WEDPRO Inc.
Women and Gender Commission AMRSP
Women and Gender Institute (WAGI)
Women’s Legal Bureau, Inc (WLB)
YES to Change
Young Moro Professionals Network (YMPN)
Youth for Nationalism and Democracy (YND)

ENDORSED BY:
Jihad al Akbar
Philippine Alliance of Human Rights Advocates (PAHRA)
Ranaw Disaster Response & Rehabilitation Assistance Center
SALAM, Incorporated
Sumpay Mindanao
TRIPOD Foundation, Inc
WomanHealth Philippines

Today, December 10, 2008, is Human Rights day, the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights of which the Philippines is a signatory. It is supposed to be a celebration but I think it should be a time for mourning.

Over the last eight years of Arroyo administration, Karapatan, a human rights group, documented 977 victims of extrajudicial killings, 1,010 victims of torture, 1,464 were illegally arrested and no single conviction. NO SINGLE CONVICTION.

As Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s term ends, pro-administration lawmakers are busy pushing for charter change. Behind all these are four human rights bill which desperately needs attention from the lawmakers. There is a bill seeking to compensate victims of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos, the bills against torture and forced disappearances, and the bill on internally displaced people.

I guess extending the term of a President who was elected through “hello Garci” is more important than giving justice to the victims of extra-judicial killings.

Note: Please sign the online petition to stop Extra-Judicial Killings in the Philippines at http://www.pinoyhr.net

Dear colleagues,

At 5:45 p.m. today (November 22, 2008), Vicente "Roger" Paglinawan, 51, PAKISAMA's Vice-President for Mindanao, was shot dead by two motor-cycle riding men in Malabog, Davao City. Three bullets were pumped into his head ensuring his death.

We in PAKISAMA(Pambansang Kilusan ng mga Samahang Magsasaka or the National Confederation and Movement of Peasant Organizations) condemn in strongest possible terms this dastardly and cowardly act of his murderers. If they thought that killing him will sow fear and stop PAKISAMA and the broad peasant movement from pursuing their planned activities in the coming days, they were mistaken.

Ka "Vic" has been over the past few weeks groundworking in Mindanao for the planned December 3 National Mobilization of farmers and various support groups to press Congress to pass the extension of funding of CARP and introduce necessary reforms to ensure its meaningful implementation.

Ka Vic has been a recognized leader of a successful 6- million peso agri-cooperative, MIEDECO, a member of PAKISAMA. He rose to the leadership of PAKISAMA, a national confederation of peasant federations, becoming one of its Presidents and Executive Committee member.

He is also one of the leaders of PANDAYAN and AKBAYAN in Mindanao. A model of integrity, dedication, and industry, Ka Vic is undoubtedly a big loss to the peasantry and the broad social movement.

He is survived by his wife, Aida, and his 4 children aged 22, 19, 16, and 14.

Cynical as we are, we demand, nevertheless, from this government a speedy investigation and pursuit of his murderers.

We ask our colleagues to pray for his soul and strength to his family. Please contact us (02-4342079) for any contribution you wish to share to his family. They would surely appreciate any act of support.

Sincerely yours,

Soc Banzuela
National Coordinator, PAKISAMA