Peasant member of indigenous group in Capiz, Philippines summarily executed by security forces
submitted on Sat, 03/27/2010 - 12:00
UA case type:
<b>Summary Execution</b>
Victim(s):
RONELO PEREZ
- A resident of Brgy. Alfonso XII, Libacao, Aklan
- A member of Tumandok, an indigenous group in the Visayas
Place of the incident:
Sitio Marandan, Brgy. Mali-ao, Tapaz, Capiz
Date of the incident:
March 18, 2010
Alledged perpetrator(s):
<div>3rd Infantry Division Philippine Army (IDPA) training unit under Capt. Adolfo V. Delizo, composed mostly of soldiers-trainees, based at Camp Peralta, Jamindan, Capiz</div>
On March 18, 2010, Ronelo Perez visited his farm in the nearby Sitio Marandan which is located in the tri-boundary of the towns of Jamindan and Tapaz, Capiz and Libacao, Aklan. He was inside his hut when soldiers fired at it. After the initial volley of gunfire, Ronelo, thigh shattered by the gunshot, went out of the hut to seek help. But instead of giving him assistance, a soldier came towards him and shot him in the head killing him instantly.
The Philippine Army through the 3rd ID public information officer 1Lt. Mark Andrew Posadas maliciously accused Ronelo to be a member of a group of illegal loggers supported by the armed rebel New People's Army. He was allegedly killed during the military operation to recover illegally cut lumber in Sitio Marandan. This was disputed by the barangay (village) chairman who attests that Ronelo was a bona fide farmer in the village and was not a part of any illegal group.
It may be recalled that at almost the same time last year, on May 6, 2009, the hut of a Tumandok couple in Brgy. Rizal, Tapaz was also strafed by elements of the 47th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army, killing the pregnant wife and wounding the husband.
Recommended action:
Recommended Action:
Send letters, emails or fax messages calling for:
- The immediate formation of an independent fact-finding and investigation team composed of representatives from human rights groups, the Church, local government, and the Commission on Human Rights that will look into summary execution of Ronelo Perez.
- The military to stop the labeling and targeting of human rights defenders as “members of front organizations of the communists” and “enemies of the state.”
- The Philippine Government to be reminded that it is a signatory to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and that it is also a party to all the major Human Rights instruments, thus it is bound to observe all of these instruments’ provisions.
You may send your communications to:
H.E. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo
President of the Republic
Malacañang Palace,
JP Laurel St., San Miguel
Manila Philippines
Voice: (+632) 564 1451 to 80
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Cell#: (+ 63) 919 898 4622 / (+63) 917 839 8462
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Sec. Annabelle T. Abaya
Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process
Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP)
7th Floor Agustin Building I
Emerald Avenue
Pasig City 1605
Voice:+63 (2) 636 0701 to 066
Fax:+63 (2) 638 2216
osec@opapp.gov.ph
Sec. Norberto B. Gonzales
Secretary, Department of National Defense
Room 301 DND Building, Camp Emilio Aguinaldo,
E. de los Santos Avenue, Quezon City
Voice:+63(2) 911-9281 / 911-0488
Fax:+63(2) 911 6213
Email: osnd@philonline.com
Atty. Agnes Devanadera
Secretary, Department of Justice
Padre Faura St., Manila
Direct Line 521-8344; 5213721
Trunkline 523-84-81 loc.214
Fax: (+632) 521-1614
Email: soj@doj.gov.ph
Atty. Leila De Lima
Chairperson, Commission on Human Rights
SAAC Bldg., UP Complex
Commonwealth Avenue
Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines
Voice: (+632) 928-5655, 926-6188
Fax: (+632) 929 0102
Email: chr.delima@yahoo.com
Please send us a copy of your email/mail/fax to the above-named government officials, to our address below.
URGENT ACTION Prepared by:
KARAPATAN (Alliance for the Advancement of People’s Rights) National Office
2/F Erythrina Bldg., #1 Maaralin cor Matatag Sts., Brgy. Central, Diliman, Quezon City 1100 PHILIPPINES
Voice/Fax: (+632) 435 4146
Email: urgentaction _at_ karapatan.org
Website: www.karapatan.org
