TANGGULAN Youth Network for Human Right and Civil Liberties 

NEWS RELEASE
19 February 2007

for Reference: Leni Valeriano (09154386099) 


Death of student ignites international youth condemnation 


"The killer-machines and 'death squads' did not give any qualm about taking another young activist life, on the time Philip Alston, the UN special rapporteur is visiting the Philippines and investigating the political killings," TANGGULAN Youth Network for Human Rights and Civil Liberties said in condemnation of the recent victim of political killing in the Philippines, one coming from their own sector.

 Led by the League of Filipino Students (LFS), youth groups demanded justice for Farly Alcantara II, a 23 year old student who was shot by still unidentified gunman on February 15, 9:35 p.m. in the Camarines province in Bicol. 

He was a graduating business administration student of the Camarines Norte State College (CNSC), the president of the Junior Economic Society of College of Business Administration in his school and a member and former provincial spokesperson of the League of Filipino Students in Camarines Norte.   

Alcantara was riding home a motorcycle with his professor when he was shot five times in the head using a .45 caliber pistol.   

Vencer Crisostomo, chairperson of the LFS condemned Farly's killing as it "shows the great level of impunity with which the Arroyo government is conducting its campaign of political killings and repression. It is the Arroyo government's statement to the international community that in this country, political violence is not the exemption, but the rule." 

Meanwhile, the killing of Alcantara has ignited condemnation from international youth groups. In a statement, the Hong-kong based Asian Students Association (ASA) expressed grief and "more our anger and frustration with the Arroyo government apparently unmoved and doing so little to immediately resolve the grave human rights situation in the Philippines".   

Alcantara is the third LFS leader slain in Bicol region since last year. In March 19, Cris Hugo, regional spokesperson of the group and a graduating student of the Bicol University was shot dead by two unidentified assailants. Rei Mon Guran, another leader of LFS in Albay was shot by a lone gunman a day after his 21st birthday. Both cases are unresolved to this day.

ASA is concerned that many youth groups like LFS are victims of vilification and red-baiting by the Armed Forces of the Philippines and has been arbitrarily and unjustly tagged by the government as a "communist front". "We are concerned that most of the student victims came from highly militarized regions like Bicol and are members of the LFS and other groups vilified by the military."

Meanwhile, LFS chapter in San Francisco U.S.A. was dismayed over the killing of another colleague in Bicol. The LFS-SFSU chapter was in Bicol last year visiting LFS chapters when Rei Mon Guran was killed.

"We grieve the loss of a comrade who sacrificed his life so that others may one day live a better one. We are saddened by the death of kasama Farly especially in such a ruthless manner. But his death will not go in vain. His death inspires us to continue our fervent fight and to serve the needs of our constituents in our local community." 

Likewise, the Anti-Invasion Asian Student Joint Action –Japan (AASJA) is set to hold a dialogue with consulate officials of the Philippine government in Japan on February 19 to submit a Petition to demand immediate stop on the killings and pull-out of military in heavy-militarized regions like Bicol. AASJA, have held the annual exposure trip to the Philippines together with LFS for more than 10 years now. 

"We have met many LFS members who always encourage us with their cheerful and serious engagement in the struggle for the people. AASJA and LFS have built solid and humane solidarity through many common experiences in the trip and other campaigns. We can never tolerate this brutal murder to our friend." ###