“On the 12th year of the killing of our beloved fellow human rights worker Eden Marcellana and Eddie Gumanoy, a staunch defender of peasants’ right to land, Karapatan Alliance for the Advancement of People’s Rights holds the US-Aquino government accountable for the continuing injustice suffered by the Marcellana and Gumanoy families,” said Cristina Palabay, secretary general of Karapatan.
“On the 12th year of the killing of our beloved fellow human rights worker Eden Marcellana and Eddie Gumanoy, a staunch defender of peasants’ right to land, Karapatan Alliance for the Advancement of People’s Rights holds the US-Aquino government accountable for the continuing injustice suffered by the Marcellana and Gumanoy families,” said Cristina Palabay, secretary general of Karapatan.
Palabay added, “The killing of Marcellana and Gumanoy are among the issues BS Aquino has relegated on the side despite strong views and opinions expressed by the international and diplomatic community.”
On October 30, 2008, the 94th session of the United Nations Human Rights Committee found the Philippine government, then headed by Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, guilty of violating primarily the right to life of human rights defenders Eden Marcellana and Eddie Gumanoy. “After more than six years, the current government, which is similarly plagued with numerous cases of human rights violations, has not lifted a finger to comply with the UNHRC’s recommendations.”
Marcellana and Gumanoy were at a fact-finding mission in Bansud, Mindoro Oriental when members of the 204th Infantry Battalion under the command of then Col. Jovito Palparan, Jr. abducted them. A day after, on April 22, they were found dead.
“It took 11 long years to arrest butcher Gen. Jovito S. Palparan Jr. for a different crime but equally brutal and heinous—the disappearance of Karen Empeno and Sherlyn Cadapan,” added Palabay. “Together with the victims’ families, we wish Palparan would also be prosecuted for the abduction and murder of Eden Marcellana and Eddie Gumanoy, and all his other crimes in Southern Tagalog, Central Luzon, and Eastern Visayas.”
The UN-HRC also declared that the Philippine government "is under an obligation to provide the authors with an effective remedy, including initiation and pursuit of criminal proceedings to establish responsibility for the kidnapping and death of the victims, and payment of appropriate compensation. The State party should also take measures to ensure that such violations do not recur in the future."
“But, the BS Aquino government continued the same terror,” Palabay said. Among the 240 victims of extrajudicial killing (as of 1st quarter 2015) was a fellow human rights worker William Bugatti. Bugatti was killed in March March 24, 2014 after he attended a court hearing of political prisoners Rene Boy Abiva and Virgilio Corpuz at the Ifugao Trial Court.
Karapatan expressed disgust with how The Butcher Palparan receives special treatment from the government. Palparan is in a military facility instead of the usual civilian jail. “It is ironic that he now uses "threat to his life and security" as an excuse. This is an insult to many of his victims who were killed or are still missing.”
“Today, as we commemorate the sacrifices of Eden Marcellana and Eddie Gumanoy, we cry out for justice. Even after 12 years, our eyes are still filled with tears of memories of our dear Ka Eden. We owe her, and all our fallen colleagues who became victims of state repression, our courage and determination to continue to fight for justice and peoples’ rights. Mabuhay kayo, Ka Eden at Ka Eddie!,” Palabay ended. ###