January - March 2015

Released by KARAPATAN (Alliance for the Advancement of Peoples Rights)

L ess than a week after the euphoria brought about by the

visit of Pope Francis to the Philippines, on January
16-19, the Filipinos were shaken by another of President
BS Aquinos fiasco, the Mamasapano botched
military operation.
The ill-planned and executed military operation,
which killed 44 of Aquinos own Special Action Force
(SAF), 18 fighters of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front
(MILF) and seven civilians, was easily turned by the
US-Aquino regime to a game of lies and blames.
The people plumbed the depths of lies and
diversionary tactics that flooded the country as
BS Aquino tried to hide his puppetry to the
US, his inept leadership, and the favors and
protection he gives his bosom buddy, the
suspended chief of Philippine National
Police Gen. Allan Purisima.
BS Aquino could not
escape responsibility over the
Mamasapano incident because
even the Board of Inquirys
report, wanting as it is, pointed
at him as commander in chief
who approved Oplan Exodus. The
report showed how BS Aquino violated
the chain of command
by retaining Gen.
Purisima at the helm of
the operation despite
charges of corruption
and subsequent
suspension order by
the Ombudsman. BS
Aquino acted on behalf
of the USs interest
on Marwan, and
received funding and
information in exchange.
What followed were a
resounding cry for truth and accountability
and a renewed call for Noynoy Aquinos
resignation/ouster from office as the
country recalled and enumerated
similar tragic events, policies and
actions the BS Aquino government
was responsible for but flouted.
Simultaneously, BS Aquino
took on the business as
usual stanceeven taking
great pleasure in boasting
of his so-called economic
growth and infrastructure
development.
2 Karapatan Monitor

And, the usually unnoticed Civilian victims of the Mamasapano Around lunchtime, when there
but equally alarming human rights fiasco were no more sounds of guns and
violations committed by the US- bombs, Sarah and the other residents
Aquino regime continue, as usual The reports of both the PNP returned to their community. Sarah saw
i.e., the extrajudicial killings, illegal Board of Inquiry and the Senate on her husband Badrudin hogtied near
arrests and detention, and forced the Mamasapano incident obviously the wooden bridge at Bgy. Tukanalipao,
evacuation. skipped the seven civilian casualties together with the rest of the bodies of
and the hundreds of residents PNP-SAF. His head bashed and his
Extrajudicial killings displaced during the military body bruised. A witness told Sarah the
operation. They, too, were victims PNP-SAF had taken Badrudin before
Human rights violations of the US-Aquinos botched Oplan the fire fight began. Badrudin and
committed against civilians, not only Wolverine/Exodus. They, too, should Sarah have two children.
in Maguindanao during the costly figure in in BS Aquinos accountability. Almost at the same time that
Mamasapano fiasco but also in many Reports from Kawagib Human Badrudin left to charge his phone, the
parts of the country, have escalated, Rights Alliance for the Advancement Pananggulon family was awakened
raising the number of victims of of Moro Human Rights (Kawagib) by loud gunshots in Pimbalkan,
extrajudicial killings under the Aquino said at around 4:00 a.m. of January Mamasapano. Their hut, which was
regime to at least 238; and 270 victims 25, after the early morning prayer, right in the middle of the cornfield,
of frustrated killing by the first quarter Badrudin Langalan, 18, left for was indiscriminately fired at by the
of 2015. Crossing Tukanalipao, a community PNP-SAF, killing 8-year-old Sarah
along the national highway of Pananggulon and wounding her
Mamasapano, to charge parents, Samra Sampulna and
his mobile phone. Riding Pananggulon Mamasalaga. The
a bicycle, he had to pass sun was already up when civilians
through a wooden bridge were able to help the Pananggulons
connecting his community leave the place. Only then did Samra
and those along the realize that their hut was just 200
highway. At the time, the meters away from where the PNP-SAF
PNP-SAF was stationed made its assault.
on the bridge. According to the MILFs Special
After an hour, at Investigative Commission Report on
around 5 a.m., Badrudins the Mamasapano botched operation,
wife, Sarah Lawani, the day after the mishap, and long
18, heard gunfire and after the GPH and the MILF declared
bomb explosion from the ceasefire, another civilian was shot
direction of the wooden dead by the PNP-SAF lone survivor
bridge. Immediately, she PO2 Christopher Lalad. Lalad shot
took her children, and four MILF members who were
along with the rest of the resting inside a small mosque. On his
residents, evacuated to way out from the mosque, he shot one
another barangay. more, Mohammad Ambilang.

Killings as usual. Labor organizer Florencio

Romano (left) and farmer Virgilio Leotorco .
 3 3 January-March 2015 3

Ambilang, a tricycle driver, pistol. Before the other farmer could victim of enforced disappearance. He
happened to be at the opposite end of ask for help Leotorco died. has been missing since.
the wooden bridge in Tukapanalipao A member of the Agbiag On March 8, a union organizer of
trying to get the belongings of his Matusalem Roxas Isabela-Danggayan Pagkakaisa ng Manggagawa sa Timog
aunt who sought refuge at his house Dagiti Mannalon iti Isabela (Amari- KatagaluganKilusang Mayo Uno
from the bombings the day before. Dagami), Leotorco, 56, was among the (PAMANTIK-KMU), Florencio Ka
Ambilang left a wife and two children. 66 settlers fighting for a space at the Bong Romano, was found dead
Mallig Plains Reservation, a promised along the National Highway in Bgy.
EJK cases all-over the country resettlement area for which the Surosuro Karsada, Batangas City. He
Isabela State University (ISU) claims was shot and his face was crushed.
Mabini Tata Beato (earlier
ownership. He was a Kalinga who Romanos friends and colleagues point
reported as Tata Baito), a Lumad
migrated to Isabela to find land which to the Philippine Air Force stationed
of Bukidnon province in Northern
he can cultivate
Mindanao was gunned down on
and develop.
March 24 at about 9:00 a.m. He
In a statement,
was a member of the Lumad group
the Kilusang
TINDOGA (Indigenous Group TABLE 1: Violations of Civil & Political Rights
Magbubukid ng
Tribal Indigenous Oppressed Group
Pilipinas (KMP) under the Noynoy Aquino Government
Association), an organization fighting
in Cagayan Valley
for its members right to ancestral (July 2010 to March 2015)
stated, The land
domain against the incursion of a
dispute became
landlord, Pablo Poling Lorenzo.
increasingly Violation No. of victims
The security personnel of
violent as the
Lorenzo fired at Beato and wounded Extrajudicial Killing 238
ISU-Roxas,
two others, Jave Sam Bagna and
an academic Enforced Disappearance 26
Romeo Timtim (earlier reported as
institution which
Japsem Bagna and Ricky Tumbaga,
should be a
Torture 110
respectively), whose upper torsos were Rape 5
bastion of human
hit by bullets.
rights advocacy, Frustrated Extrajudicial Killing 270
TINDOGA is one of the
resorted to
legitimate claimants of ancestral land Illegal Arrest without Detention 293
illegal demolition
under the governments Certificate Illegal Arrest and Detention 723
and burning
of Ancestral Domain Title (CADT)
of hundreds of Illegal Search and Seizure 311
program. Some 622 hectares of the
houses, shooting
ancestral land claimed by TINDOGA Physical Assault and Injury 420
of residents,
was leased by the government to the Demolition 20,745
indiscriminate
Montalvan ranch, owned by Lorenzo.
firing of guns, Violation of Domicile 551
The contract, however, ended in 2009
destruction of
but the Montalvan ranch continued Destruction of Property 12,722
crops, housing
to operate, with the use of its own
materials and Divestment of Property 388
security personnel and the support
house perimeter Forced Evacuation 59,612
of the military and government
walls as well as
agencies. Threat/Harassment/Intimidation 125,061
verbal assault,
Beato was on his way to
threats and Indiscriminate Firing 11,305
TINDOGAs bungkalan, where the
intimidation Forced/Fake Surrender 59
indigenous people collectively till parts
by its security
of their ancestral land to assert their Forced Labor/Involuntary
personnel. 174
claim. Beato, with 200 others were Servitude
Soldiers of
met by some 20-30 of Lorenzos armed
the 5th Infantry Use of Civilians in Police and/or
men and security guards who opened
Division (ID)
fire at them. Beato was killed instantly.
of the AFP also
Military Operations as Guides 593
Up north, in Bgy. Matusalem, and/or Shield
entered the
Roxas, Isabela province, another
community, Use of Schools, Medical,
farmer, Virgilio Leotorco, was
beefing up the Religious and Other Public 169,964
killed in the evening of March 16.
ISU-Roxas Places for Military Purpose
Help me. I was shot. I am dying,
security guards.
Leotorco implored in Ilocano as a Restriction or Violent Dispersal
Last year, on
fellow farmer found him near an of Mass Actions, Public 27,129
February 28, 2014,
irrigation canal. Leotorco was there to
another member of Assemblies and Gatherings
catch edible frogs. He was shot three
AMARI, Romulo
times at close range with a .45 caliber
dela Cruz, was a
4 Karapatan Monitor

at the Fernando Airbase in Batangas

City as perpetrators. Other leaders of
progressive organizations have been
victims like Romano of harassment
and surveillance from the intelligence
service of the Air Force.
The many victims of extrajudicial Forced evacuation. With more than 60%
killings all over the country were killed of the total number of the AFP forces
because they fought for their right to deployed there, the whole of Mindanao
has virtually become a war zone.
land and jobs. The bullets that killed
them aimed to silence them, their
colleagues and their organizations,
and disrupt their communities. of the indigenous Banwaon tribe from gun-toting, destruction and
their communities. divestment of properties, use of public
Terrorizing communities and facilities for military purposes, use of
peoples organizations Banwaon tribe left their homes civilians as guides or human shields,
fake surrenders, threats, harassment
The death, for example, of Necasio On January 1, 2015 the Banwaon and intimidation.
Precioso Sr. on December 22, 2014 tribe decided to leave Sitio Tabon- The military encamped in
prompted the evacuation of hundreds tabon and arrived at Sitio Tabanganan, schools and barangay halls in Balit
of residents from San Luis, Agusan Barangay Mahagsay the following and Mahagsay. The schools of the
del Sur to Balit in the same province. day. A day later, they received reports Rural Missionaries of the Philippines
Precioso was killed by motorcycle- that the house of one of the evacuees (RMP) were particularly tagged as
riding men in front of his children and was burned down. Not having NPA schools, forcing the RMP to close
a relative. enough food, half of the evacuees down six of them.
The military operations of the transferred to another village in Sitio The militarys practice of
26th Infantry Battalion (IB) of the Kimambukagyang, Mahagsay on encampment in schools, medical,
Philippine Army (PA), which started in January 5. religious and other public places has
the last quarter of 2014, went on until In a span of five days, from victimized 169,964 as of March 30,
the first quarter of 2015; the impact of January 18-25, 2015, residents in 14 2015.
which was aggravated by the killing more communities evacuated and The military, in the guise of
of Precioso. His death was among headed for Barangay Balit, Agusan implementing Community Organizing
the many human rights violations Sur. All in all, there were about 174 for Peace and Development (COPD),
committed by the 26th IB since they families or a thousand individuals who also forcibly recruited residents to
arrived in San Luis, Agusan del Sur. left their homes and farms. join the Peace Development Security
The 26th IB accused residents of being On March 8-9, an International Volunteers (PDSV). The PDSV is
supporters of the New Peoples Army Solidarity Mission was conducted in similar to Oplan Bantay Layas
(NPA). Precioso once confronted a Balit, Agusan del Sur to look into the Civilian Volunteers Organization
soldier about the false accusation. situation of the evacuees. The mission (CVO) under the US-Arroyo regime.
The presence of the military in also documented 93 cases of rights It is a paramilitary group that
the villages and the attacks against violations such as: indiscriminate serves as the AFPs force multiplier
the people resulted in the evacuation firing, restriction of movement,
 5 5 January-March 2015 5

their communities. But their condition

in the evacuation centers is no better.
The participants of the peace mission
who went to Bgy. Dapiawan in
Maguindanao were witness to the gun
fires and mortar shelling on March 11.
A 42 year old, 3-month pregnant
mother with 10 children who was
interviewed in one of the missions
expressed uncertainty of life if the
war continues. The woman said one
in the implementation of its the Banwaon representatives was of her children collapsed in the middle
counterinsurgency program. facilitated by Davao City Mayor of the volley of fires because of intense
At the evacuation center, three Rodrigo Duterte on February 25, fear and (afterwards) could not talk
children and an adult died from 2015. The 26th IB-PA operates under anymore.
ailments. Exhaustion, lack of food, the East Mindanao Command. Davao From the initial 1,500 residents
and the overall unsatisfactory health City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, also the who fled their homes after the failed
condition of the children even prior chairperson of the Regional Peace and military operation in Mamasapano,
to the evacuation made the children Order Committee, openly criticized the humanitarian mission citing
susceptible to diseases which led even the military for using public facility as the Autonomous Region in Muslim
to their death. A pregnant woman was base camp. Mindanaos Humanitarian Emergency
another casualty. Action and Response Team (ARMM-
Those who died were: Jamson All-out war in Maguindanao
HEART) said there were at least
Tilocan, 4, and Miguel Man-anito, 73,000 individuals from the 11
3, who had German measles; and Kawagib and the Suara
Bangsamoro conducted two Peace municipalities who were displaced.
Printon Saya-saya, 2, who died of Most of them stayed in cramped
pneumonia. and Humanitarian Missions in
Maguindanao after the Mamasapano evacuation centers sick, hungry, and
On March 20, the Banwaon traumatized.
evacuees headed back to their botched military operation. It
aimed to check on the situation of Farmer Boyong Unggala, 36, of
communities after the 26th IB-PA Bgy. Madia was hit by a bullet on his
announced in a dialogue with local civilians when the AFP launched an
all-out war against the forces of the forehead while sitting at their houses
government officials of Agusan del Sur
that they will pull out of the Banwaon Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters porch when the military strafed the
(BIFF). The BIFF became the target house where he was temporarily
ancestral land. staying. Farhannah Abdulkahar,
Prior to the March 18 dialogue, of the US-Aquino regime after the
failed operation in Mamasapano. 25, a resident of Bgy. Dapiawan, Datu
calls for the military pullout Saudi, also evacuated when their
echoed even in the international Consequently, thousands of civilians
were displaced. house was indiscriminately fired upon.
community. A dialogue between the Her left leg was hit by a bullet.
East Mindanao Command headed Two months after Mamasapano,
civilians were still on the run to save During the peace mission
by Lt. Gen. Aurelio Baladad and at Barangay Madia, the Peace
their lives as the military bombarded
6 Karapatan Monitor

Mission participants were Indiscriminate firing caliber and M16 armalite shells.
harassed by soldiers of the 8th Ernesto and Merlyn said they
Mechanized Battalion who arrived On February 18, 2015, Ernesto found their belongings upturned and
in three 6x6 trucks and two military Binaliw and his wife Merlyn ransacked. The 50 sacks of chicken
tanks. The soldiers went straight to Binaliw went back to Mangasa, Sitio dung they use for fertilizer were
the vacant lot beside the barangay Damitan, Dalwangan, Malaybalay thrown out and cooking utensils
hall adjacent to the evacuation and saw that his farm house was were deformed. Ernestos wallet
center. They immediately mounted forcibly opened and ransacked by with important documents in it, his
two 81mm mortars without even elements of 1st Special Forces PA, farming tools, and the pictures of
informing the barangay officials and based at Mampayag, Manolo Fortich, his children posted on the wall were
residents in the community. Bukidnon. The unit is under the carted away. Later, they learned that
Other documented cases, aside command of Col. Nasser Lidasan. it was the work of some 30 members
from forced evacuation and divestment The 53-year-old Binaliw, married of the 1st SF PA who had a firefight
of property, were indiscriminate with six children, is an Igorot farmer with members of the NPA at Capitan
firing, mortar shelling (81mm & who migrated to Bukidnon. He has a Anghel, an adjacent village.
105mm howitzer) and aerial bombing farm lot and a hut in Mangasa and in Another case of indiscriminate
by OV10 Bronco planes; destruction Casisang, both in Malaybalay City. firing involved a group of tourists
of property; frustrated extrajudicial Binaliw said that at around 11:00 from the United Kingdom, Denmark
killings; harassment and intimidation a.m. on February 11, he and his wife and Australia who went to Bukidnon
of civilians; military encampment in Merlyn heard gunshots. An hour later, Province for bird-watching at the Mt.
public and religious structures. The the military bombed the village, which Kitanglad Range Natural Park.
military operation disrupted childrens caused panic among the residents. Peter Simpson, the groups
classes in the communities. The incident prompted Ernesto and leader, applied for a permit with
Karapatan at this point called his wife to go to their residence in the Department of Environment
on Aquino to immediately stop its Casisang. Binaliw was certain their and Natural Resources (DENR) in
all-out war against the Moro people. Mangasa farm house was locked and Malaybalay City. The DENR office
It is nothing but a diversionary things were kept in order before they issued a four-day permit, from
and face-saving tactic and does not left. February 11-14, 2015, after the group
help in arriving at the truth on the When Binaliw went back to submitted all the requirements. The
Mamasapano fiasco. It has only added Mangasa after a week, they found group left with their local tourist
to Aquinos dismal human rights several bullet holes in and outside the guides Carlito Gayramara and
record as numerous human rights houseat the entrance, on one of the Dannie Docinos.
violations were documented by the windows, in the kitchen and near the On the third day, February 13,
peace mission. back door. They recovered empty .45 at about 6:00 a.m., the group headed
With more than 60%
of the total number of the
AFP forces deployed there,
the whole of Mindanao has TABLE 2: Victims of Extrajudicial Killing & Enforced Disappearance under Noynoy Aquino Govt
virtually become a war zone. by Region (July 2010 to March 2015)
Prior to BS Aquinos bungled
operation in Mamasapano, Region Extrajudicial Killing Enforced Disappearance
some 55 combat battalions Ilocos 3 0
were already deployed in Cordillera Administrative Region 8 0
Mindanao, a declared priority Cagayan Valley 11 2
target of the BS Aquino Central Luzon 11 1
regimes Oplan Bayanihan. NCR 10 0
The deployment does not Southern Tagalog 22 4
count PNP personnel, Bicol 54 3
paramilitary groups and other Western Visayas 12 4
civilian assets involved in Central Visayas 4 0
combat operations. Eastern Visayas 11 1
Military presence alone Northern Mindanao 12 0
in communities disrupts Caraga 19 7
and endangers the life of the Socsksargen 10 0
villagers. Soldiers harass Western Mindanao 11 1
and intimidate the civilian Southern Mindanao 35 1
populace, tagging them as ARMM 5 2
protectors and supporters Total 238 26
of the New Peoples Army. Women 23 0
Military violence fills the air. Organized 106 11
 7 7 January-March 2015 7

for Purok Mangaso, Bgy. Dalwangan, ground and crawl for safety. Six of the The tourists were horrified and
Malaybalay City. Almost three hours tourists went with Gayramara while traumatized by the incident, hugging
later, at around 8:45 a.m., the group the other one went with Dannie each other and teary-eyed after their
was met with a burst of gunfire as they O. Docinos. The tourists, using escape. The tourists lost seven
approached the forested area. their shirts, jackets and belt, tried to binoculars, two high-tech telescopes,
Carlito Gayramara said the first give first aid to Gayramara who was cameras and a number of backpacks.
volley of gunfire hit his left forearm. He bleeding profusely. The group spotted Later, in a radio interview, the
said he remembered the heavy gunfire, a farmer whom they approached for Commanding Officer of 403rd IB PA
which sounded like they were coming help. The farmer used his horse to ridiculously accused Gayramara of
from high powered guns. bring Gayramara to Sitio Damitan, being an NPA commander who headed
Gayramara managed to order Dalwangan, Malaybalay City where a the group which had an encounter
the group members to drop to the motorcycle was available. with the military.
Harassment of leaders of peoples
organization
Suppression of the peoples voice
also takes the form of false charges
being filed against the leaders and
members of peoples organizations
who openly criticize the fascist attacks
on the civilian population and expose
blatant state protection given to
business interests that encroach on
communities, especially those rich in
natural resources.
Mindanao indigenous leader
Jomorito Goaynon faces another
trumped-up criminal case for the
death of his cousin Dorlito Goaynon
dela Mance on March 28, 2015.
Goaynon, Chairperson of
Kalumbay, a regional organization of
Indigenous leader Jomorito Goaynon charged
on the basis of a complainant tortured Lumad in Northern Mindanao, was
testimony by the military. named in a complaint filed by Jenita
dela Mance, Dorlitos
wife, at the Malaybalay
City police station. Also
named respondents in the
TABLE 3: murder charge were seven
Victims of Extrajudicial Killing & Enforced Disappearance under Noynoy Aquino Govt by Sector of Jomoritos siblings. The
(July 2010 to March 2015) complainant claimed the
Sector Extrajudicial Killing Enforced Disappearance Goaynon brothers were
members of the Rexan
Church 3 0 Perez Command-New
Entrepreneur 5 0 Peoples Army.
Environmentalist 7 0 Later, members of the
Fisherfolk 5 0 Julito Tiro Command-
Government Employee 3 0 New Peoples Army owned
Indigenous People 55 1 up to the revolutionary
Media 3 0 punishment meted out
Minor 20 0 to Dorlito de la Mance, a
Peasant 145 20 leader of the de la Mance
Teacher 1 0 group, a paramilitary/
Urban poor 13 1 bandit group involved
in robbery, holdup, and
Human rights worker 2 0
extortion, cattle rustling,
Worker 8 1 land grabbing and murder
Youth and Student 8 1 of civilians.
Moro 6 1 This is the second
Transport 6 0 time Jomorito Goaynon
 8 Karapatan Monitor

was falsely charged with criminal Illegal arrests and criminalization of political acts
offense since he figured prominently
in the anti-militarization campaign Three peace consultants of the National
in Mindanao, specifically the recent Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) were
evacuation of the more than 1,000 arrested in separate incidents during
residents from 14 communities to the 1st quarter of 2015.
Balit, Agusan del Sur due to the This brings
continuous military operations in the to 16 the
villages. currently
A month earlier, on March 23, detained
Goaynon and seven other leaders of NDFP
peoples organizations and human consultants.
rights workers received a copy of a The
petition for writs of habeas corpus arrests
and amparo filed by the 4th IDPA in further
the name of Tedy Ostos on February jeopardized
23. Ostos accused the respondents the peace
of the illegal detention of his son, talks between
Rene Ostos, and his family. Rene the GRP/GPH
was among those who stayed at the and the NDFP,
evacuation center in Bgy. Balit. which have been
Aside from Goaynon, the seven stalled since 2011.
others who were named respondents The GPH once
in the petition for a writ of Habeas more violated the
Corpus were: Julieto Tawide Joint Agreement
Gomez, Reyjoy Precioso and on Safety and
Junrey Precioso Manlikayan, Immunity
Melissa Amado Comiso, Virginia Guarantees (JASIG)
Saguitan Tugay, and Tina Julieta which was signed
Tawide Gomez. between the two
The Court of Appeals, however, parties in 1995.
in a resolution dated March 5, 2015, Rogelio Posadas
pointed out defects in the petition was arrested on January
and ordered the petitioner to correct 9, 2015, less than a week
them within five days. But instead of before Pope Franciss
correcting the petition, Tedy Ostos, arrival in Manila, at
through Atty. Hilarion P. Clapiz Jr., a time when political
executed an affidavit recanting his prisoners all-over the
testimony against the respondents. country were gearing for a
It turned out Ostos was tortured and nationwide hunger strike to
detained by soldiers of the 26th IBPA highlight the governments
in a CAFGU detachment, thereby practice of criminalizing
forcing him to execute said complaint political acts.
affidavit. Posadas, 57, was arrested
by at least 12 members of the

Criminalizing
political acts:
Torres, Ely and
Guiuo illegally
arrested on
mere suspicion
that they are
NPA members;
(Opposite ) NDFP
peace consultant
Reynaldo
Hugo.
9 9 January-March 2015 9

Regional Public Safety Battalion Identification (DI) No. ND978313

(RPSB) of the Philippine National under the assumed name Angel Jose,
Police (PNP) in the evening of acknowledged by the government
January 9 in San Carlos City, peace panel, then led by its
Negros Occidental. He was riding chairperson Silvestre H. Bello III. On
a motorcycle with two others when March 7, Posadas was released on bail.
a pick-up truck overtook and On January 27, 2015 combined
flagged them down near a bio- forces of the Criminal Investigation
ethanol plant in Bgy. Punao. At and Detection Group (CIDG) of
gunpoint, they were ordered to Regions 4 and 5, and elements of the
get off the motorcycle. Led by AFP barged into the house where
Captain Tony Benitez, members Reynaldo Hugo, 52, was staying in
of the arresting unit searched Cabuyao, Laguna. Hugo was ordered
Posadas but found nothing. to lie face down and was handcuffed,
The three were brought to while the CIDG and AFP searched the
the PNP headquarters in San house. The faces of the perpetrators
Carlos City, where Posadas were concealed but they wore black
was interrogated. At around vests with CIDG printed on them.
3:30 a.m., he admitted Without any warrant of arrest,
to the police that he was the CIDG and the AFP took Hugo and
Rogelio Posadas. His brought him to Tinangis Penal Farm,
companions were released Bgy. Tinangis, Pili, Camarines Sur. He
and he was brought to the is currently facing 15 criminal charges.
Cadiz PNP Headquarters. Hugo is also protected by JASIG
The authorities and holds a DI No. ND978239 under
arrested Posadas based the assumed name Orgel Dimaano.
on the same warrant On March 4, 2015, Combined
used against human elements of the PNP - CIDG and the
rights worker Zara AFP simultaneously raided three
Alvarez, a former houses in Quezon City and Caloocan
political prisoner. City, and illegally arrested 13 civilians.
He is charged with One of them was Ruben Saluta,
murder, robbery in another NDFP peace consultant
band and homicide. protected by JASIG.
Posadas should Saluta reported that during
not have been the arrest, he had in his physical
arrested as he possession his DI No. ND978240
was protected under the assumed name of Lirio
by JASIG, being Magtibay. Saluta invoked his JASIG
an NDFP peace protection but it was dismissed by the
consultant. raiding team.
He has a Arrested with Saluta was his
Document of wife, Presentacion Saluta, whom
he was visiting at the
time. Also arrested were
four other civilians with
diverse and unrelated
activitiesAlexander
Raymund Birondo and
his wife Winona Oate-
Birondo, Ruben Rupido
and Joseph Cuevas.
Cuevas subleased the
rooms in said house to save
on cost and be helped in
defraying the rent.
Those arrested in
two other houses in
Caloocan City were Osias
Abad, Emmanuel
Bacarra, Rosalia
10 Karapatan Monitor

Reboltar-Bacarra, Roy alerted the National Union of Peoples Nueva Ecija Annual Conference,
Baldostamo, Manolito Estrella, Lawyers (NUPL) which agreed to arrived at the Parsonage and
Emmanuel Villamor and represent them during inquest. introduced himself. He tried to
Monette Alcantara. They had no All 13 are detained at the take video shots of the things the
link with each other except being Custodial Center of Camp Crame in perpetrators took from the victims but
independent sub-lessors and sub- Quezon City. the soldiers and police forcibly took
lessees of one another. Meanwhile, arrests of leaders and the video footage and threatened to
The raiding team purportedly members of progressive organizations arrest Pastor Efren.
had a search warrant issued by the continue. When Pastor Jun Candelaria
Quezon City RTC Branch 78 for In Gapan City, Nueva Ecija, finally arrived, he saw that the
illegal firearms. When they did not Hilario Guiuo, a member of United Parsonage was already in disarray. He
find any of those fictitious items Methodist Church; Andres Lapuz also noticed that P5,000.00 in cash, a
listed on the warrant, the members
of the raiding team planted guns
and explosives and labeled them
evidence to justify the arrest. All
three houses were searched and the
raiding teams hauled the belongings
of those arrested. The police-AFP
operatives also invited, a euphemism
for arrest, the 13 residents of the three
houses. To justify the baseless and
bungled operation, the police later
filed false charges of illegal possession
of firearms and explosives against the
13 arrested, including Saluta.
It was the testimony of a certain
Roger Reyes Rodriguez that was used
to link together the three separate
households. Rodriguez claimed he met
Saluta in Antique province through
his uncle. Saluta supposedly recruited
him as gun for hire in Manila. Political prisoners nationwide went on
Rodriquez went to Manila, contacted hunger strike during the Papal visit.
Saluta who gave him a gun he didnt
like. Saluta brought him to the house
where the Bacarras were staying Ely, Anakpawis member; and, Joey PSP game console, and a DSLR camera
and offered him another gun, which B. Torres Sr., Bayan Muna member, were missing.
Rodriguez again refused. Saluta then were arrested on December 4, 2014 at The three victims were taken to
brought him to the third house where the United Methodist Church (UMC) the Gapan City Police Station. Pastor
Osias Abad resided and offered Parsonage in Bgy. Pambuan. Candelaria arrived at the police station
another gun that Rodriguez finally Guiuo, Ely and Torres were an hour later. They were all separately
liked. Reyess statement became the scheduled to meet Pastor Jun subjected to tactical interrogation
dubious basis of the search warrants Candelaria at the UMC Parsonage from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 a.m. the next
improperly issued for the Quezon City for a consultation meeting on the day. Pastor Candelaria was charged
and Caloocan houses. socio-economic projects of the UMC. with harboring criminals, but was
At 1:25 a.m. of March 5, Ruben At around 4:00 p.m., the arresting later bailed out with the help of other
Saluta et al were brought to the CIDG team forcibly opened the door of the UMC pastors in Nueva Ecija.
office in Camp Crame, Quezon City. At Parsonage, claimed that they have a The arrest was conducted by joint
around 6:00 or 7:00 p.m. of the same warrant of arrest, and took the three forces of the 7th Military Intelligence
day, Saluta et al were brought to the by force. The AFP-PNP joint forces Battalion under Col. Carlos Rodriguez
Prosecution Office at the Quezon City accused the three of being members of and Capt. Julius Caesar Cervantez;
Hall of Justice for inquest, without the New Peoples Army. Guiuo, Ely and 48th IB Charlie Coy led by 1st Lt.
the presence of a legal counsel of Torres were harassed and repeatedly Jessie Mar Moldez; 7th Infantry
their choice despite continuously hit by members of the arresting Division under Maj. Alex Toledo;
invoking their right. Those arrested team. They were also threatened that Nueva Ecija Provincial Police Office
in Caloocan City were presented for something bad would happen to their -Provincial Intelligence Branch led by
inquest before the City Prosecution families if they did not cooperate. PSupt. Andrew Aguirre; Gapan City
Office of Caloocan City but was able Pastor Efren Reyes, Chairperson Police Station led by Acting Chief of
to immediately contact the Karapatan of the Church and Society of the South Police Nelson Almoradie Aganon.
National Office. Karapatan in turn
 11 11 January-March 2015 11

of supposed NPA members for

identification, which he expectedly
TOTAL NDF Consultants Arrested
Region
No. of PPs
Women
& Staff Under PNoy
failed to do.
Gandinao has been charged with
Cordillera Administrative Region 8 1 0 8 murder, multiple frustrated murder,
Ilocos 0 0 0 0
and illegal possession of firearms.
Cagayan Valley 5 3 0 4
Central Luzon 12 2 1 7
In the first quarter of 2015, a total
Southern Tagalog 24 2 0 7 of 15 arrests were documented. The
Bicol 39 3 1 28 number of political prisoners in the
NCR 221 19 10 56 country has now reached 527 with 48
Western Visayas 21 1 0 21 women and 51 elderly and ailing.
Central Visayas 2 0 0 0
Eastern Visayas 25 9 1 20 Inhuman condition and
Northern Mindanao 23 0 2 17 repression in jails
Caraga 14 0 0 13
Socsksargen 28 1 0 15 The campaign to stop
Western Mindanao 26 5 0 18 criminalization of political acts and
Southern Mindanao 51 2 0 27 to release all political prisoners
ARMM 28 0 0 11 continues. For the US-Aquino regime
Total 527 48 16 252 demonizing, criminalizing and jailing
Sickly 60 TABLE 4: Political Prisoners people for their political beliefs and
Elderly 40 (as of March 2015) activities are not enough. Inside
Arrested Minor 6 jails and detention centers, political
prisoners as well as the ordinary crime
offenders suffer from the inhuman
The arresting team condition cramped cells, congestion
informed Gandinao that due to too many prisoners, almost
they had a warrant of arrest inedible food ration, lack of adequate
for him, but he was not water supply and repressive
shown any. The military measures that are in place.
claimed Gandinao had
several cases in court Mother and child in jail
for taking part in the
NPA attack of a military A five-month old baby boy has a
detachment. detention cell for his home because
Gandinao was brought his mother, Miradel Torres, is
to the Valencia Kalasag a political prisoner. When at two-
Center where he was months old he was transferred from
interrogated for several the hospital, instead of welcome
hours by his captors, led by home greetings from relatives, the
a certain Macky Fuentes, boy was received by Taguig City Jail
reportedly chief of military inmates who chanted, Batang city jail!
intelligence. Batang city jail!
He was later brought A prison cell should never be home
to the regional trial court to one who is a picture of innocence
of Malaybalay City, then like all babies. But Miradel would
to a hospital for check- rather keep Karl (nicknamed Pyter)
up, and eventually to the beside her in jail to nurse him and take
Provincial Detention and care of him. Fellow female inmates
Rehabilitation Center and political prisoners try their best to
Miradel Torres and son Pyter stay in a
4x2 meter cell with four other inmates. (PDRC). make their cells livable for babies like
When Gandinao was him. Torres and Pyter stay in a 2 x 4
visited in jail by human meter cell with four other inmates.
rights workers, he reported Now five months old, Pyter
On February 8, 2015, farmer that for five successive days elements needs more nutrition other than
Reboy Gandinao, 31, was arrested of the 10th Special Forces and a his mothers milk. Miradels food
at Bgy. Lumintao, Quezon in Bukidnon certain Valmoria from the 403rd ration is not enough for the two of
province by combined forces of the Brigade based in Impalambong, them. Soon, this baby will learn to
PNP-Valencia, PNP Provincial Mobile Malaybalay City visited him in jail crawl, walk, climb and play. His first
Group, Philippine Army, and from the and interrogated him. The military words would probably be warden,
military Intelligence Battalion. repeatedly showed him pictures gwardya or kosa.
12 Karapatan Monitor

Now, more than ever, Miradel charges and her child is likewise made various lame excusesall were brazen
Torres should be immediately released to suffer for this. violations of the law on the rights of
on humanitarian ground. detained persons.
Torres is currently facing trumped Violations of the rights of detained Among those denied entry were
up charges of murder and frustrated persons Dr. Julie Caguiat, former Gabriela
murder at the Regional Trial Court partylist representative Liza Maza,
Repressive measures in jails
Branch 65 of Infanta, Quezon. This Bayan Chairperson Dr. Carol
reached its peak when political
is the same court which ordered Araullo, Karapatan Chairperson
prisoners, particularly those at
the Bureau of Jail Management and Marie Hilao-Enriquez, and
the Bureau of Jail Management and
Penology to bring Torres back to Karapatan Secretary General
Penology- Special Intensive Care Area-
Taguig City Jail two months after her Cristina Palabay. Lawyers
1 (BJMP-SICA-1) male dormitory,
delivery at the Philippine General from the National Union of
launched a fasting and hunger strike
Hospital where she was allowed to Peoples Lawyers (NUPL), who
during the visit of Pope Francis in
recover from giving birth and to are handling most of the cases of
January.
breastfeed her baby. the political detainees, were twice
The reprisals and restrictions
Torres fought to keep the baby denied entry but were later allowed
against the political prisoners at the
since the day she was illegally arrested to see a representative of the political
BJMP-SICA-1 were enforced when
on June 20, 2014 in Lucena City, detainees.
the political prisoners launched their
Quezon Province. She was four- For the first time some family
10-day hunger strike (five days before
months pregnant. She had threatened members like Julieta Caloza, wife
and five days during the visit of Pope
abortion and was prescribed bed rest. of detained NDFP peace consultant
Francis) that apparently irked Warden
But her arresting officers forced her to Leopoldo Caloza, was not allowed
Michelle Ng-Bonto
travel from Quezon Province to Taguig inside her husbands cell. A jail guard
Despite the political prisoners
City while profusely bleeding. Torres informed her that Leopoldos health is
letter informing jail authorities and
has had a series of bleeding while in OK, but could not see her because he
other government agencies of their
detention and was confined at Taguig could not get out of bed!
planned action, the jail warden refused
Hospital months before giving birth. The jail authorities also prevented
to allow entry of doctors and human
Her counsels filed motions to visits to the common crime violators,
rights workers, and to some extent, the
quash both criminal charges. While citing the fasting and hunger strike
lawyers of the political prisoners.
waiting for the courts resolution, as the reasons. This was an attempt
Representatives of human rights
Miradel and her baby languish in to isolate the political prisoners from
organizations, doctors and leaders
jaila situation that is far from human the other inmates. It provoked violent
of peoples organizations attempted
for both Torres and baby Pyter. Torres reaction by the Sputnik gang leaders
several times to visit the political
is charged with trumped-up criminal and members who shouted threats and
prisoners but jail authorities gave
 13 13 January-March 2015 13

invectives at the political prisoners, started its letter writing activity on at least P10,000. We ask that the
Papatayin namin kayo! Huwag Plaza Miranda, in front of the Quiapo donation be coursed through the
kayong bababa dito, papatayin namin Church. Relatives and friends of the International Committee of the Red
kayo. Lalo na yung mga matatanda! disappeared wrote to Pope Francis Cross. The request was dismissed
(We will kill you! Dont come down, we seeking his help in the search for by jail authorities who opted to serve
will kill you, especially your elderly. their missing loved ones. Raised in unusually good meals at the time of
The jail guards enjoyed the threatened Argentina, Pope Francis, or Father the hunger strike.
violence against political prisoners. Jorge to his fellow Argentinians, Families of political prisoners,
The hunger strike was meant knew only too well the issue of desaparecidos, and victims of
to symbolically deliver the political enforced disappearances for his extrajudicial killings held a welcome
prisoners call for freedom, social country experienced thousands activity in front of the office-residence
justice, and the resumption of peace of abductions and disappearances of the Papal Nuncio on the eve of the
talks between the GPH and the NDFP. during the dictatorship. Popes arrival on January 14. Viva Il
Pope Franciss intercession in Papa! Hear our cries for justice, the
Peoples counter action the release of the Cuban 5 also gave families chanted.
stronger hope for Filipino political On January 15, relatives of
The blatant violations of peoples prisoners that he can do the same in political prisoners and other victims
rights perpetrated by the US-Aquino the Philippines. For this, almost all of human rights violations joined
regime and its machineries have political detainees in more than 50 members of peoples organization
made the poor majority of the Filipino jails held a nationwide hunger strike in welcoming Pope Francis in a
people realize that they only have or fasting in time for the Popes visit Misang Bayan (Peoples Mass) at the
themselves to defend their lives on January 15-19. They appealed Liwasang Bonifacio. During the Holy
and limbs, and their livelihood, too. to Pope Francis to join them in Mass, relatives of political prisoners
Peoples actions are alive, calling their call for the release of political offered red roses made of beads,
attention to and gathering support for prisoners especially the women, the product of women political prisoners
the need for genuine change. sick and elderly. at the Correctional Institute for
Letters to the Pope, letters of hope In the Batangas Provincial Jail Women. They also offered a cross with
and Davao Penal
The need to free all political Colony, more than
prisonerstheir unjust detention, the 600 common
inhuman condition in jails, and the crime offenders
need to resume peace talks between joined the hunger
the NDFP and the GPHbecame the strike in solidarity
central call of the campaign of human with the political
rights organizations and the families prisoners.
and relatives of victims of human Political
rights violations during the Papal visit prisoners in SICA-
in January. 1 in Camp Bagong
The visit of Pope Francis to the Diwa, Taguig
Philippines became an opportunity City, requested
to show the realities in Philippine jail authorities
society to the whole worldthe to donate the
hunger and inequality, the oppression money saved from
and exploitation. The international their food rations
media covering the Popes every to the typhoon
move further exposed the BS Aquino victims. As we
governments criminal negligence of will not be getting
disaster victims. Even a year after the our food rations
super typhoon Yolanda, no significant for 10 days, we
rehabilitation has been implemented are asking the
for the survivors. jail authorities
For the under-represented and to donate, in our
marginalized Filipinos, the papal visit behalf, the savings
was the perfect opportunity for their in our food rations
cries to be heard and have someone to the victims of
like Pope Francis to stand by them super-typhoon
in their search for justice and peace Yolanda and
as their demands always fell on the typhoon Senyang.
governments deaf ears. We estimate
As early as November 2, 2014, such savings
Families of Desaparecidos for Justice to amount to
14 Karapatan Monitor

painting done by Eduardo Sarmiento, international support, and the letters Ng-Bonto for gross misconduct, grave
an NDFP peace consultant who is at they sent through Obispo Maximo abuse of authority, gross oppression
the New Bilibid Prison. The painting Efraim Fajutagana of the Philippine and for conduct unbecoming of a
depicts the plight and struggles of Independent Church. He was among Public Officer.
political prisoners and the role of the the ecumenical leaders who met with The complainants are political
Church of the Poor. the Pope. prisoners Aristides Sarmiento, Dennis
As a response, the BS Aquino Ortiz, Eliseo Lopez, Voltaire Guray,
government militarized the Popes Raps vs. Jail Warden Michelle Ng- Hermogenes Rezes Jr., Modesto
visitshameless as it is tainted with Bonto Araza, Rolando Laylo, Philip Entera,
numerous human rights violations, Alberto Macasinag, Felicardo Salamat,
On February 12, political
corruption scandals and guilty of Edward Lanzanas, Jared Morales,
prisoners and their relatives, lawyers
criminal neglect. The AFP and the Jesus Abetria Jr., Alex Arias, Eddie
PNPs deployment of forces
bordered on the absurd, in the
guise of the Popes safety and
security. In truth, the deployment
was meant to keep the people
away from the Pope, especially
those who would want him to
know what ails this country.
We tried to line up along
your route from Malacaang
to Manila Cathedral, holding
banners of gratitude and
pleas, but we were blocked
by policemen brandishing
truncheons and clubs. They
could not give us any reason
for doing so aside from their
grim faces of suppression. They
continuously questioned us
whenever they saw us holding
our banners and pictures of
our loved ones with the word
Free written on it, as if we
were holding an instrument Rights violations,
of potential harm. We were criminal negligence and
not disheartened, for we saw corruption are among
in the eyes of others waiting the cases BS Aquino faces
for you, dear Pope Francis, a at the International
Peoples Tribunal in July .
light of interest and sympathy,
Nikki Gamara, daughter of a
political prisoner, NDFP peace
consultant Renante Gamara, wrote and doctors, and human rights Cruz, Cesar Balmaceda, Fidel Holanda
in her open letter to Pope Francis. advocates filed before the Office and detained NDFP peace consultants
Nuns from the Sisters of the Ombudsman criminal and Leopoldo Caloza, Emeterio Antalan,
Association of Mindanao (SAMIN), administrative charges against Jail Tirso Alcantara, and Alan Jazmines.
led by its Executive Secretary Noemi Senior Inspector Michelle Ng Bonto, Other complainants were
Degala, were stopped and held up OIC Warden of SICA 1- Camp Bagong Karapatan Secretary General Cristina
for an hour by members of the PNP Diwa. Palabay, Bayan Chairperson, Dr. Carol
in Tanauan, Leyte. They were on Ng-Bonto was charged with Araullo, and former Gabriela Partylist
their way to Tacloban, where the violation of Section 2 (a), (b) and (f) in Representative Liza Maza.
welcome ceremonies for Pope Francis relation to Section 4 of Republic Act Ng-Bonto is also facing a
were held. The nuns had official No. 7438 (An Act Defining Certain complaint before Taguig RTC Branch
identification papers and travel Rights of Persons Arrested, Detained, 266 and 271 filed on January 27.
passes. The police accused them of or Under Custodial Investigation As Through their manifestation, the
being members of the NPA. Well As the Duties of the Arresting, political prisoners asked the Taguig
The families of the victims of Detaining and Investigating Officers, courts to order Jail Warden Ng-
human rights violations could only and Providing Penalties for Violations Bonto to respect the rights of the
hope that their calls reached the Thereof). The complainants also filed political prisoners, especially the
Pope through the news reports, an administrative charge against right to be visited by doctors and
 15 15 January-March 2015 15

religious ministers of their choice, dialogue with the political prisoners still enforceable against whoever
lawyers, relatives, and human rights that would be facilitated by the NUPL, the incumbent officials are. Gen. Ao
organizations. The political prisoners the political prisoners legal counsel. is Commander of the 10th Infantry
also asked the court to enjoin Ng- Division in Davao Provinces in
Bonto to desist from committing Protect the defender Mindanao; while Bautista retired as
further violations of rights of AFP Chief in 2014 and was replaced
the political prisoners, including Exert extra-ordinary diligence by Lt. Col. Gregorio Catapang.
transferring custody without any court and efforts to protect Salucon and her The Court of Appeals also directed
order, and for the court to ensure the immediate family, the Special 6th the respondents to conduct a thorough
safety and security of the political Division of the Court of Appeals (CA) investigation into the case, submit
prisoners. told the state security forces, granting a periodic report, and to produce,
Despite, or because, of the cases the Petition for Writ of Amparo any and all facts, derogatory and
filed against her, Ng-Bonto continued (WoA) and Habeas Data for Atty. prejudicial information, statements,
to deny the rights of the detained Maria Catherine Dannug-Salucon. records, photographs, dossiers, and all
persons at SICA-1. Long after Pope The granting of the writ of amparo to other evidence, documentary on Atty.
Francis left the country, which Atty. Salucon is considered a hallmark Salucon for possible destruction upon
was the reason given for effecting decision, being the first WoA granted a order of this Court. Failure to comply
containment measures, Karapatan lawyer who is under attack. with these directives shall constitute
staff members were still denied access. The Petitions for a WoA and contempt of court, the CA warned.
She also disregarded pleas for a Habeas Data were filed by Atty. Salucon Before human rights worker
dialogue between her and the political on April 11, 2014, less than a month William Bugatti was gunned down
prisoners. after, human rights worker William on March 24, 2014, he warned Atty.
Ng-Bonto claims that upon the Bugatti, was killed by state security Salucon to change her routine in
declaration of the political prisoners forces. Atty. Salucon filed said petitions going to hearings for her own safety.
hunger strike, she received a phone because of the continuous harassment After Bugattis death, Atty.
call from the higher-up to contain and surveillance against her by Salucon was able to piece together
the noise of the political prisoners. members of the AFP and the PNP. details confirming she is also under
But as she imposed containment The respondents in the petition surveillance and is included in the
measures, utterly disregarding the were Cagayan Valley Acting Regional militarys watch list of Communist
rights of the detained, more noise was Director Police Supt. Miguel De Terrorist for defending in court
created by the political prisoners, their Mayo Laurel, Philippine Army suspected rebels. A long-time
families, human rights advocates and Commanding General Hernando public defender, Atty. Salucon is the
other supporters. The governments Irriberi, Intelligence Service of the National Auditor of the National
objective to gag the political prisoners Armed Forces of the Philippines Union of Peoples Lawyers (NUPL).
failed. More news came out about the (ISAPF) Chief Eduardo Ao, and Gen. The NUPL in a statement said,
striking political prisoners, especially Emmanuel Bautista, then Chief of While it (the NUPL) is elated by
those who are detained at SICA-1. Staff of the AFP. the issuance of the decision, the
By the end of March, Ng-Bonto Although Gen. Ao and Gen. same will only become meaningful
finally acceded to a long-overdue Bautista are no longer holding said if it will result in the resolute
positions, the CA said its decision is

Rights victims and kin, and leaders of peoples

organizations take their case versus the BS Aquino
regime to the Inernational Peoples Tribunal.
16 Karapatan Monitor

prosecution and due punishment of those involved in the Tentorio and free-trade advocate Romeo Capalla, the
threats against a human rights defender. killing of a minor, Roque Antivo, and the violations of
workers rights in TNC-owned plantations and agri-
The trial of BS Aquino launched business especially in Mindanao.
The IPT will also probe into the role of the continuing
The crimes of the BS Aquino governmentthe and even increasing US military presence and intervention
extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, massive in the Philippines such as the botched Oplan Wolverine/
forced evacuations, the Mamasapano fiasco, its criminal Exodus in Mamasapano, Maguindanao.
negligence of disaster victims, the massive corruption Conveners of the tribunal include the International
through the Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP) Coalition for Human Rights in the Philippines (ICHRP),
and the pork barrel system, other attacks on the peoples the National Lawyers Guild (NLG), the International
lives and livelihood, and the sell-out of the countrys Association of Democratic Lawyers (IADL), and IBON
sovereignty and patrimonyhave gone too far, from International.
worse to worst. The need to make the US-Aquino regime The ICHRP Chairperson and IPT Convenor, Reverend
accountable for these crimes becomes more urgent today. Canon Barry Naylor, explained the IPT, although judicially
Last March 12, 2015, the International Peoples non-binding, is symbolic and significant. Peoples
Tribunal (IPT) was launched at the University of the tribunals have had success in directing international
Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City to try the crimes of the attention to grave abuses of human rights in various
US-Aquino regime. countries including the Philippines during the Marcos
Among those who attended the activity were families and Arroyo regimes. The IPT draws inspiration from and
of victims of the BS Aquino government and complainant builds on the momentum of previous peoples tribunals to
organizations. Aurora Santiago, wife of slain Dutch advance human rights and hold governments to account,
missionary Willem Geertman, came to the launch and is he said.
set to present Geertmans case to the IPT, which will be A similar tribunal was held in 2007, the independent
held in July 2015 in Washington, DC. Geertman, a Dutch Permanent Peoples Tribunal (PPT) based in The Hague,
national who lived for many years in the Philippines, was Netherlands that handed down a guilty verdict against
killed almost three years ago in July 2012. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo for crimes against humanity.
Mothers of missing University of the Philippines The PPT said Arroyo was guilty of colluding with her US
activists, Karen Empeno and Sherlyn Cadapan also counterpart, George W. Bush, to perpetuate extrajudicial
attended the launch to represent the victims of rights killings, massacres and tortures of civilians in the
violations during the Macapagal-Arroyo administration Philippines in the name of the US war on terror.
who are still crying out for justice. For them, BS Aquino The current president, similar to his predecessor, will
should also be held accountable for the continuing injustice have to face serious charges in the courts. Now that calls
and impunity. for BS Aquino to resign have become popular, the cases
Other cases that will be presented to the IPT are to be presented to the IPT will give clearer bases why this
the military attacks against people-initiated schools and criminally negligent president has to step down.
learning centers, the extrajudicial killing of Fr. Fausto

BS Aquinos business as usual stance did not and can no longer deflect the peoples call for his
resignation from office, which he brought upon himself. The attacks against the people are
bound to intensify and cases of human rights violations will continue to rise if he stays longer in power.
BS Aquino fanned the flames of peoples anger with his treachery in the Mamasapano case.
He provoked the people to call for his resignation because of a failed promise to end corruption in
government and because of his barefaced puppetry to US imperialism.
BS Aquino showed the people the need for nationalist and pro-people leaders. BS Aquino showed
the people the need for leaders who genuinely respect human rights and international humanitarian laws.
The Filipino people need leaders who need not suppress the peoples voices because they and the peoples
voices are one. BS Aquino showed the people the need for leaders who know the meaning of real peace.
BS Aquino showed the people the need for leaders who have the heart for the poor. BS Aquino moved the
Filipino people to unite. He showed the Filipino people the reasons why he should resign, now!

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