Victims of Arroyo Regime United for Justice
2/floor Erythrina bldg., #1 Maaralin cor. Matatag sts. Barangay Central, Quezon City

PRESS RELEASE
March 25, 2009
Reference:
Evangeline Hernandez, Convener
Victims of the Arroyo Regime for Justice
Telefax 4342837, Mobile no. 09158562151

Angered by the recent series of extra-judicial killings, families call on the Ouster of AFP Commander in Chief Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

“Another family is orphaned with the death of Sabina Ariola,” Evangeline Hernadez said in rage when asked about how she feels about the recent killings in the first quarter of 2009. Evangeline Hernandez is the mother of EJK victim Beng Hernandez and currently the spokesperson of Hustisya. Ms. Ariola left behind four children and several grandchildren.

On March 24, 2009 at 11:00 P.M., Sabina Ariola, 51 years old, of the Mamamayan ng Santa Rosa para sa Kagalingan, Kaunlaran at Kapayapaan (MSRK3) died from a gunshot wound. She is the 16th victim of extra-judicial killings in the 1st quarter of 2009.

Ariola’s companion, Adelaida Calosa, also from MSRK3, was also hit on the face by the same bullet that hit Ariola. She is at present undergoing medical treatment.

“As the Oplan Bantay Laya, the counter insurgency program of the Arroyo regime is fast approaching its deadline in 2010, the military is holding desperate measures to wipe out its so called enemies,” Hernandez said. “We fear that human rights violations will intensify in the coming days as they brashly implement their tactics.”  ►►►
 

With the recent rate of human rights violations, Mrs. Hernandez is calling on the Filipino people and the International Community to intensify their vigilance to prevent more loss of lives as well as to strengthen their ranks to protect themselves against those who wish to trample on their rights.

Most importantly, Mrs. Evangeline is calling on the victims and families of victims of Arroyo to continue with their quest for justice. “Don’t let the perpetrators get away with their crimes against us and the people with impunity, we must pursue justice for our loved ones. But to achieve this we must first oust the Armed Forces of the Philippines Commander in Chief Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.“ ###

Press Release
March 24, 2009

Sixteen killed before end of 1st Quarter 2009
Karapatan decry attacks on 2 women human rights defenders, raise alarm over rising extrajudicial killings

The human rights watchdog Karapatan today decried the shooting of two women human rights defenders in Laguna and sounded the alarm over the rising extrajudicial killings.

Sabina Ariola, 51 and Adelaida Calosa, 48 was shot at around 8:25 AM yesterday, March 23, 2009. Sabina, who was hit in the abdomen died at 11 o’clock in the evening and Adelaida who was hit on the face is undergoing medical treatment.

“We condemn in the strongest possible terms, the attacks on human rights defenders Sabina Ariola and Adelaida Calosa,” said Marie Hilao-Enriquez, Secretary General of Karapatan.

Sabina and Adelaida are the Chairperson and member respectively of the MSRK3, an urban poor organization in Sta. Rosa, Laguna advocating for welfare, development and peace. MSRK3 stands for Mamamayan ng Santa Rosa para sa Kagalingan, Kaunlaran at Kapayapaan.

The Elf truck where Ariola and Calosa were riding was parked at the Metroville Subdivision in Baranggay Pook Sta. Rosa when the lone gunman climbed up and shot them. The two were about to announce important urban poor concerns through the public address system attached to the truck when the attack happened.

Hilao-Enriquez lashed out at state security forces for targeting civilians, among them human rights defenders. “Arroyo’s death squads are still at it, they have targeted civilians, including human rights defenders and loved ones of armed guerillas.”

Karapatan warns that extrajudicial killings is becoming more frequent with sixteen killed before the first quarter of the year is over. “The killings are picking up again at an alarming rate of one victim per week. This is almost the same scenario in 2006, if not worse," Hilao-Enriquez said.

She added that "Arroyo's perverse belief that insurgency can be eliminated by 2010, deadline of the Oplan Bantay Laya II, by eliminating perceived "state enemies" justifies extrajudicial executions.”

“We call on our people and the international community to keep up the pressure on the Arroyo government to put an end to these atrocities,” Hilao-Enriquez said.###

HUSTISYA PARA KAY KA SABENG ARIOLA AT ADELAIDA CALOSA

Posted by gabrielatk on March 24, 2009

Mariing kinukundena ng GABRIELA Timog Katagalugan at Gabriela Women’s Party ang pagpaslang kay Sabina “Ka Sabeng” Ariola kahapon, ika-23 ng Marso, alas-8:25 ng umaga sa tapat ng Metroville subd., Bgy. Pooc, bayan ng Sta Rosa Laguna.

Si Ka Sabeng, 51 taong gulang, isang lider kababaihan, ang kasalukuyang tagapangulo ng MSRK3 o Mamamayan ng Santa Rosa para sa Kagalingan, Kaunlaran at Kapayapaan. Isang di pa nakikilalang lalaki ang sumalubong at bumaril kay Ka Sabeng sa tiyan habang pinangungunahan ang isang kilos protesta kahapon. Siya ay lulan ng isang elf kasama ang iba pang miyembro ng MSRK3 patungo sa Sta Rosa City Hall upang dumalo sa sesyon ng Sangguniang Bayan ng naturang lungsod.

Ang bala na tumagos sa tiyan ni Ka Sabeng ay tumama sa pisngi at kasalukuyan pang nakabaon sa may bahagi ng leeg ni Adelaida Calosa, 48 taong gulang at miyembro ng MSRK3.

Nakatakdang operahan si Adelaida habang si Ka Sabeng ay binawian na ng buhay kaninang umaga.

Ang pamamaslang kina Ka Sabeng at Adelaida sa gitna ng kanilang paglahok sa isang kilos protesta ay isang muling pagpapakita ng madugo at brutal na kamay ng estado laban sa mga bumabatikos dito. Ito ay patunay na nagpapatuloy ang pampulitikang pamamaslang, pagtugis at panunupil sa mga lider kababaihan, mga aktibista at miyembro ng mga progresibong organisasyon.

Sariwa pa sa aming alaala ang pagpaslang noon kay Melita “Tita Mely” Carvajal. dati ring tagapangulo ng MSRK3 at coordinator ng Gabriela Women’s Party sa Sta. Rosa, Laguna.

“The impunity of the Arroyo regime’s Oplan Bantay Laya continues to claim the lives of martyrs in Southern Tagalog. We demand justice as well as an independent investigation on the incident that will bring perpetrators to justice.”

Kasabay ng aming pagkundena ay ang aming panawagan para sa independyenteng imbestigasyon sa insidente at ang pagpapanagot sa mga nasa likod ng pamamaslang.

For Reference:
LEONA ENTENA (Gabriela Women’s Party Vice Chairperson for Luzon) 09074951189