ALYANSA NG MAMAMAYAN PARA SA PANTAONG KARAPATAN (ALMMA) BAGONG ALYANSANG MAKABAYAN – BULACAN MEDIA ADVISORY Terror is gripping many towns of Bulacan because of numerous cases of murders, forced disappearances, and other forms of human righhts violations. The Alyansa ng Mamamayan para sa Pantaong Karapatan (ALMMA) and the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan- Bulacan is inviting you to a PRESS CONFERENCE to tell the media and the people the human rights situation in Bulacan. It will be held on March 2, 2006, 10-12 a.m. at Malolos Resort Club Royale in Malolos City, Bulacan. Your attendance will be appreciated. Reference:: Fr. Rolly de Leon, spokesperson ALMMA ( (0917) 432-7849 ALYANSA NG MAMAMAYAN PARA SA PANTAONG KARAPATAN (ALMMA) BAGONG ALYANSANG MAKABAYAN – BULACAN Press Statement March 2, 2006 Ref: Fr. Rolly de Leon (0917) 4327849 In the year 2005, more than 800 persons have become victims of different cases of human rights violations. Mauling, threats, robbery, arsons, illegal arrests, illegal searches, physical and mental torture, illegal detention, aiming of guns, dispersal of picket lines, murder - these best describes the horrifying experience the people have suffererd from the elements of the 56th Infantry Battalion, 24 th IB, of the Philippine Army, PNP Provincial Mobile Group(PMG-305th, 306th), PNP-Maritime. These incidents happened in the towns of San Miguel, San Ildefonso, Norzagaray, Angat, Obando, Meycauayan, Dona remedies Trinidad, and Calumpit. In all these cases, not a single word of condemnation was heard from the government. Citizens who had the courage to speak up were harassed and were threatened that soldiers will go after them when they speak up. January – February, 2006 Twenty five persons have already become victims of murder, forced disappearance, physical and mental torture , mauling, massacre, interrogation, and illegal detention. These happened in the towns of San Ildefonso in the following barangays: Maasim, Pinaod, Pala-pala, Buhol na Mangga, Sapang Putik, Poblacion. The alleged perpetrators are elements from the 56th IB under the command of Lt. Col. Noel Clement and elements of the 24th IB. The same incidents are still on the rise. People are being murdered almost daily. These once peaceful towns are now gripped with terror and fear of people's lives. People are no longer productive because they fear that when they get out of their houses, they will be the next victims of murder. The government continues to ignore and are silent about the almost daily murders although they know who the perpetrators are. There is no more respect to the constitution. No more respect for Basic Human Rights. There is no more respect to life. They are spreading terror. ALMMA recognizes that there is an armed conflict between the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the New Peoples Army (NPA). It also recognizes the fact that they follow a set of rules or conduct or rules of war in accordance with the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CAHRIHL) that were signed by the GRP and NDFP in 1998. But in all these cases, the victims are all innocent and unarmed civilians, members of legal and legitimate people's organizations, church people, and elements of local governments that were tagged as "suspected supporters" of the NPA. It is stated in our Constitution: Article III, Section 1: No person shall be deprived of life, liberty, or property without due process of law, nor shall any person be denied the equal protection of the laws. Section 2: The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects against unreasonable searches and seizures of whaever natureand for any purpose shall be inviolable, and no search warrant or warrant of arrest shall be issued except upon probable cause to be determined personally by the judge after examination under oath of affirmation of the complainant and the witnesses he may produce, and particularly describing the place to be searched and the persons or things to be seized. The AFP and the PNP are supposed to be the protectors of the people's rights. But in these cases, they themselves are the VIOLATORS. Because of these, ALMMA and BAYAN condemns these cases of human rights violations which started to occur when Maj. Gen. Jovito Palparan was assigned in Central Luzon last Sept. 1, 2005. Although cases of crimes had been happening in the province, political killings started when he was assigned in Central Luzon. STOP the continuous killings of citizens struggling just to be alive! STOP the murders of innocent civilians, activists, church people and elements of government! Condemn and hold accountable the Gloria-Palparan conspiracy for all these crimes! Throw OUT the 56th, 24th Infantry Battalion of the Phil. Army from Bulacan! OUST Gloria! Recognize and Respect Civilian Supremacy over the Military!