Press Statement     -    Nov. 6, 2006
Reference:      Jigs Clamor, Deputy Secretary General (09228149751)
                        Ruth Cervantes, Public Information Officer (09228107169/09153002684)

KARAPATAN condemns the killing of rights activist in Eastern Samar

KARAPATAN condemns in the strongest terms the brutal slaying of Dr. Rodrigo O. Catayong, PhD., chairperson of the human rights group KATUNGOD-Eastern Samar and professor at the Eastern Samar State University (ESSU).  Dr. Catayong was gunned down yesterday (November 5) morning in front of the Catholic Church in the town of Macarthur, Eastern Samar while attending mass. He was the 90th victim of political killing in Eastern Visayas since the assumption into office of Mrs. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in 2001. 

Once more, we raise our fists in denouncing and in defiance of the carnage being wrought by the US-backed Arroyo regime to the organized, militant voices that continue to be unfazed by state terror.  The bullets that put to death these nationalistic men and women will not ever decimate the struggle of the oppressed for so long as tyrants and fascists remain in power.

Dr. Catayong was among the 31 individuals listed as liquidation targets of the Samar Leyte Anti-Communist Movement (SLACM).  The list was disclosed by Agustin Docena, a member and public sector representative of the Regional Development Council (RDC) at the Tacloban Convention Hall, Kanhuraw Hill, Tacloban City on September 21, 2006 during the visit of Malacaņang media Secretary Ricardo Saludo.  In the past, letter-threats were given to progressive group members by SLACM.

Through Oplan Bantay Laya, supposedly a counter-insurgency program, the regime has snuffed out the lives of 779 victims, has abducted 185 civilian men and women who were vocal in their criticisms of the government's policies.  These include lawyers, journalists, human rights activists, leaders and members of progressive people's organizations, indigenous peoples leaders, local government officials, members of the religious and young activists. 

We call for a thorough, immediate and impartial investigation on this renewed killing of a dedicated colleague in human rights work.

We call on the Filipino people to be ever vigilant of their rights, assert and fight for these whenever necessary because we are now faced with a regime out to sow terror and take away our hard-won civil liberties and freedoms.  JUSTICE FOR DR. RODRIGO O. CATAYONG AND ALL VICTIMS OF POLITICAL KILLINGS, DISAPPEARANCES AND OTHER HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS!###