TANGGULAN Youth Network for Human Rights 879 National Council of Churches in the Philippines, Epifanio de los Santos Ave., Quezon City and Civil Liberties For IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 18, 2007 Youth group condemns killing of two members of youth Partylist The TANGGULAN Youth Network for Human Rights and Civil Liberties condemns the abduction and killing of Jun Bagasbas 20, years old of Brgy Ulipanan, Jose Panganiban, and Ronilo Vallebare., 16 years old of Old Camp, Capalonga. Both were from Camarines Norte and members of the KABATAAN Partylist, the sole youth partylist vying for a seat in the Congress in the recently held elections. Biyaya Quizon, TANGGULAN spokesperson, Quizon said that according to KARAPATAN-Bicol's initial report, the two were abducted on May 15 along the way from the Brgy. Old Camp polling place where they were supposed to deliver food to other KABATAAN members and poll-watchers. The two victims were found dead on May 16 along the boundaries of Brgys Matagui and Catabauangan, Campalonga Camarines Sur. Quizon said that it is obvious that the abduction of the two youth cannot be dismissed as not related to the elections and the "Arroyo government's infamous extra-judicial executions" committed against its critics especially those from the progressive partylists. Meanwhile, Quizon said that it can also be a possibility that Jun and Ron were "clear targets for neutralization" that is why there were abducted before they were killed "We condemn the claims of the military that there had been an encounter with the New People's Army on May 15 in Campalonga that allegedly resulted to the death of two civilians. It is just an obvious ploy to cover up any possible involvement of the military in the extra-judicial killing," Quizon said.Quizon quotes KARAPATAN-Bicol that contrary to the claims of the military, residents deny there was any encounter in their area on May 15, which was also the Brgy. Old Camp,Capalonga village fiesta. "We call on the COMELEC and the government to conduct an immediate and impartial investigation on this horrendous crime. We also appeal to different institutions to conduct an independent and speedy fact-finding mission that will shed light on this," Quizon said. For Reference: Leni Valeriano +639154386099