Peace group to lead national peace and mercy mission; probes on extra-judicial killings and hr violations in region

+++Davao City – Clergy-led peace group Exodus for Justice and Peace (EJP) will spearhead a National Interfaith Peace and Mercy Mission, Duyog sa Panaw, from May 21-23, 2001 to look into recent cases of extra-judicial killings and reported human rights violations in Southern Mindanao.

Bishop Delfin Callao, convenor of EJP, said that Duyog sa Panaw will visit Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur and Pantukan, Compostela Valley for two highlight cases of extra-judicial killings in the region.

Bishop Callao cited the documentation by human rights group Karapatan, an alliance for the advancement of people’s rights, that in Sta. Cruz, a B’laan tribal chieftain Rudy Dejos, vice-chairperson of Zone-1 Farmers Association (ZOFA) and his son Rody Rick Dejos, who is also a member of ZOFA, were tortured and brutally killed in broad daylight last February 27, 2011. The report also indicated that suspected members and agents of the 39th Infantry Battalion under Lt. Col. Oliver Artuz carried out the barbaric crime. ZOFA is affiliated to the progressive peasant organization Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP)

Two weeks after the Dejos incident, Santos Manrique in Pantukan, Compostela Valley was shot dead by four unidentified motorcycle-riding gunmen at his residence in Brgy. Kingking last April 12, 2011. Manrique was a barangay councilor and was the chairperson of the progressive environmental group Panalipdan.

Bishop Modesto Villasanta of the United Church of Christ of the Philippines and convenor of EJP pointed out that before their deaths “it was clear that they were active in their respective causes – land, national patrimony and the environment.”

“In the face of these extra-judicial killings and at least 53 documented instances of human rights violations,  the 10th Infantry Division (ID) of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) continues to shamelessly brag about their ‘peace and development outreach programs’,” added Bishop Villasanta.

“Reports and testimonies from families of victims of extra-judicial killings and other human rights violations would reveal the deception and true intent of the military’s counterinsurgency program via Oplan Bayanihan. The policy continues to attempt to stifle people’s dissent, and to suppress the peasants’ struggle for land, and people’s struggle against poverty. Definitely not the kind of peace we seek,” Bishop Villasanta said.

Residents in different communities in armed conflict areas and even in villages here in Davao City, Callao added, continue to be intimidated and harassed by military presence by tagging them as supporters of the New People’s Army (NPA) and by forcing civilians to become members of the Barangay Defense System (BDS).

“There are also many cases wherein innocent civilians are illegally arrested by state agents and are presented as NPA surrenderees,” said Callao.

“It worries us that these incidents seem to be just a continuation of the much-hated Oplan Bantay Laya, which wrecked thousands of lives and properties. Thus, our call is for the government to end the implementation of these counterinsurgency programs and to address the real causes of armed conflict in its place. It is high time that we give way for genuine peace; one that is based on justice,” Callao said.

A national delegation from the National Council of Churches in the Philippines, Kalipunan ng mga Katutubong Mamamayan ng Pilipinas, Promotion of Church People’s Response and Karapatan will join EJP in solidarity with the families and in the documentation of the said cases.###
 

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Duyog sa Panaw

National Interfaith Peace and Mercy Mission

May 20-23, 2011

Mission Statement

May 23, 2011

A Call for Justice to Victims of Extra-judicial killings

A Call for the Respect Human Rights and International Humanitarian Laws

National peace and mercy mission confirms extra-judicial killings continue under PNoy admin; Oplan Bayanihan continue dark legacy of Oplan Bantay Laya

“Learn to do right! Seek justice, encourage the oppressed. Defend the cause of the fatherless, plead the case of the widow.”

Isaiah 1:17

The Exodus for Justice and Peace (EJP) spearheaded a national interfaith peace and mercy mission dubbed as Duyog sa Panaw, May 20-23, 2011 in two mission areas, in Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur and in Pantukan, Compostela Valley.

Duyog sa Panaw  was an effort from peace advocates, human rights defenders and peoples organizations to continue the pursuit of justice and genuine peace by way of an independent fact-finding mission on the recent cases of extra-judicial killings in the aforementioned towns.

The killings of Rudy and his son Rudyric Dejos in Sta. Cruz and that of Santos Manrique in Pantukan brought to light the real face of Oplan Bayanihan: that it was far from being a peace and development program and that it was a carryover of the previous counterinsurgency policy, the Oplan Bantay Laya 2.

As in the past, militarization is not entirely within the purview of the government’s thrust to curb the country’s insurgency, but actually forms part of the state’s continued subservience to foreign capitalist interests, in this case,  in Southern Mindanao region.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines, through its spin-doctor’s, has tried hard but failed to repackage Oplan Bayanihan as a deadly policy when, this early, such policy has again claimed lives and properties of civilian communities.

Duyog sa Panaw now puts forward the following results of the fact-finding mission:

1. On the killing of the Dejoses

Rudy Dejos had served as Vice-Chairperson of Zone 1 Farmers’ Association (ZOFA) – a farmer’s organization in Sta. Cruz affiliated with the progressive Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas. His son Rudyric who is also a member of ZOFA.

Before he died, Rudy Dejos served as a tribal chieftain of the B’Laan community and acted as a Barangay Human Rights Officer. He actively campaigned against the Barangay Defense System which forces the recruitment of residents.  

Testimonies from Rudy’s colleagues tell of a peasant leader who rendered good leadership in their former organization Patulangon Farmer’s Association (PATUFA). Some time in 2009, the PATUFA was dismantled by the 39^th Infantry Battallion of the Philippine Army when the latter accused the former of having links with the underground New People’s Army. Since then, full blast human rights violations committed by the 39^th IB against residents had escalated.

Rudy Dejos,  was steadfast in reviving the PATUFA. That was then they were able to form the Zone-1 Farmers’ Association (ZOFA) where he served as Vice-Chairperson. He sought the support of Karapatan, Alliance for the Advancement of People’s Rights, in exposing the rights abuses, to the consternation of  the military.

During one of the meetings initiated by the military in the community, they gave out warnings not to attend rallies, not to go to Karapatan and to isolate Dejos.  The military was also reported to have told residents: “Kana sila dili makahatag og yuta sa inyoha kami makahatag sa inyo og yuta, 6-feet below the ground. [They (Karapatan and other progressive groups) cannot give you land; we can give you land--6-feet below the ground].”  

On February 27, 2011 in their farm house located at Upper Malusing, Brgy. Zone-1, Sta. Cruz Rudy and Rudyric Dejos were found dead. The bodies of both father and son bore stab wounds, gunshot wounds, and signs of torture. The post-mortem report has yet to be released from the Municipal Health Office.

According to Chief of Police Demetrius Taypin, the Dejos killing was jointly investigated by the municipal Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Provincial Crime and Investigation Detection Group (CIDG).  The police investigation concluded that the NPA killed the Dejoses; a case was already filed in court.

On the other hand, the Dejos family and the officers of local organizations believe that only the elements of the 39^th Infantry Battalion of the Armed Forces of the Philippines has the motive of killing the activists.

In the information gathered by the mission team, a testimony from a resident (name withheld) of Zone 1 revealed that before Rudy was killed, he had already received death threats and harassments from the elements of the 39^th IB. Said testimony narrated that possible reasons for these threats are: 1) Rudy’s refusal to attend meetings called for by the military particularly regarding the Barangay Defense System, 2) Rudy’s active membership in ZOFA, 3) The military believes that Rudy is a member of the New People’s Army.

The testimony also revealed there are two witnesses to corroborate the fact that the military is behind the killing.

2. On the murder of Manrique
   
   Santos Manrique, 50 years old, was barangay councilor of Barangay Kingking in Pantukan, Compostela Valley. He was also the chairperson of Panalipdan Pantukan, a progressive environmental group opposing the entry of large-scale and foreign mining operations in the area.
   
   Manrique had been leading small-miners in opposing the operation of large-scale mining companies that include: Philippine Mining Corporation (PMC); Napnapan Minerals Resource Incorporation (NMRI); Nationwide Development Corporation (NADECOR) known to be the local partner of US-owned Russel Mining and Minerals, Inc.
   
   As an active anti-foreign and large mining, Manrique was consistent in gathering petitions from local residents to firmly oppose the entry of environmental plunderers.
   
   Manrique was also one of those who reported to the regional office of Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN) Southern Mindanao Region regarding the presence of US soldiers involved in the US-RP Balikatan exercise last January 26-27 at Batiao Beach Resort, Pantukan.
   
   With his involvement in the said campaign, Manrique had received death threats and harassments through text messages.  He was even tagged as a supporter of the New People’s Army. In March this year, Manrique was held and harassed by elements of the 1001^st Brigade in Nabunturan, Compostela Valley on his way home after meeting fellow small-scale miners.
   
   Before he was killed, Manrique, was said to be visited by a certain personnel from Russel Mining to ask him to sign a document giving permission to the operation of said mining company.
   
   On April 12, 2011, Manrique was shot dead by four (4) unidentified armed men riding on motorcycles.
   
   The mission further learned of the following cases of human rights violations:

1. In Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur, residents of Brgy. Zone 1 are living daily in terror, afraid of the 39^th Infantry Battalion living among them.

1. The mission team recorded a total of 26 cases of human rights violations with 851 victims;

2. The 39^th IB violated the international humanitarian law prohibiting the use of schools,  medical, religious and other public places or facilities for military purposes, which has affected around 25 families;

3. The 39^th IB also violated the rights of 22 individuals by coercing them to join the Barangay Defense System, using them as shields against the military’s enemies;

4. Two hundred nineteen (219) residents were victims of harassments and intimidation and one hundred forty-five (145) were violated of their right to freedom of association, when the 39^th IB threatened them from joining rallies and progressive organizations;

2. In Pantukan, Compostela Valley, large-scale foreign mining interests resulted in violations of the international humanitarian laws and the human rights of small-scale miners and their families of Gumayan, Brgy. Kingking:

1. Three thousand (3,000) individuals or around 500 families were victims of land grabbing resulting from the Russel mining company’s claim of the ancestral domain of the Lumads in the area;

2. The elements of the 71^st IB violated IHL in their use of public place and facilities for military operations affecting 480 individuals and  80 families;

3. The mission has also documented of the formation of a private army initiated by Russel mining company;

3. Human rights defenders are victims of human rights violations too

1. Mission delegation that went to Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur were harassed by the presence of elements of the 39^th IB who were in the activity area. Their presence also intimidated other residents who were prevented from giving their testimonies to Mission team members;

2. Delegates who went to Pantukan, Compostela Valley, were harassed when a composite team of Pantukan police and soldiers belonging to the 71st Infantry Battalion, Philippine Army held a surprise checkpoint;

Duyog sa Panaw believes that the mission has found revealing data and information on the continued sufferings of our peasant and lumad brothers and sisters who, in their fight for life and liberty, are being targeted by the state’s military apparatus who violate their basic human rights with impunity and without compunction.

Duyog sa Panaw thus puts forward the following demands and calls:

1. That the PNoy administration immediately investigate and prosecute the perpetrators of the violations committed by state security forces and law enforcement agencies against the people. We demand, in particular, the prosecution of responsible elements of the Armed Forces of the Philippines belonging to the 39^th and the 71^st Infantry Battalions of the Philippine Army-10^th Infantry Division as having masterminded and perpetrated the killings of the Dejoses and Manrique;

2. That the PNoy administration order to immediately end the continued forced recruitment of civilians into and to dismantle the Barangay Defense System (BDS), adhere to the principles regarding the protection of civilians from being forced to take part in the hostilities as provided for by international humanitarian laws and the Comprehensive Agreement on the Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Laws (CARHRIHL);

3. Review and stop the AFP’s counterinsurgency program under the Oplan Bayanhihan that has facilitated the use of schools, medical, religious and other public places or facilities for military purposes endangering the lives of civilians;

4. Immediately pull-out all military personnel who are taking over civilian communities in the guise of peace and development;

5. Stop all counterinsurgency programs that only aim to stifle people’s struggle for life and put in place instead socio-economic reforms that address the root cause of armed conflict in the country.

6. Sustain the peace talks between the Government of the Philippines and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines

We shall not be deaf when we hear the cry of the oppressed. We shall not close our eyes when we see our people’s suffering. We shall speak out to condemn all that has caused the misery of the poor.

We have taken the challenge to seek justice and continue with our commitment for the respect of human rights.

Let this mission’s undertaking continue to challenge others to join the journey and encourage the oppressed to rise as one in our quest for a just and lasting peace.

Signed

“Duyog sa Panaw”
National Interfaith Peace and Mercy Mission
May 23, 2011
Davao Episcopal Mission Center
Davao City, Philippines

A Mansaka tribal chieftain attested that there were economic

and cultural rights violation perpetrated by the US-Russel Mining,

Psychosocial Release Diagnostic Activity for children (grandchildren of Manrique

and other neigboring children)

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Press Release
May 22, 2011

Police, military stops peace mission in surprise checkpoint

Pantukan, Compostela Valley - A composite team of Pantukan police and soldiers belonging to the 71st Infantry Battalion, Philippine Army atop a 6x6 army vehicle,  held  at a surprise checkpoint, 73 members of a Peace and Mercy Mission of the church-led Exodus for Justice and Peace Saturday afternoon.

Police Inspector Dwayne Ducducan, head of the 10-man composite team ordered male members of Duyog sa Panaw mission – composed of church people and human rights advocates from Davao City and Manila – to alight from the truck at around 4: 30 pm near the Pantukan poblacion. “We were falsely accused of carrying firearms. It was pure harassment against us,” cried Rev. Angelico Confreros, Jr. of  Exodus for Justice and Peace   

The Mission  came from Sitio Gumayan, Brgy. Kingking where they investigated circumstances surrounding the killing of Santos Manrique, a known mining leader, as well as the impact of the mining operations of the US-based Russel Mining.

“We resisted and asserted that it was an illegal search they’re doing, therefore it was unnecessary for any of us to unload from the truck. We were willing to submit to a checkpoint in plain view only. But the police insisted. We even showed them the approved letter and permission from Pantukan Mayor Celso Sarenas, but they ignored it and proceeded with their search. Under duress, our male contingent unloaded and raised their shirts to show that we were not carrying any arms,” said Hanimay Suazo, acting deputy secretary general of Karapatan Southern Mindanao and head of the documentation team of the mission delegates in Pantukan.

Undeterred by the harassment, the groups proceeded to the police station to continue with their fact-finding mission. They interviewed authorities on its own investigation of Manrique’s killing. They also filed a police blotter to complain over the death threats received by Belen Galleto, Manrique’s colleague and also a member of Save Pantukan Alliance and Panalipdan, both environmental groups opposing foreign and large-scale mining in ssouthern Mindanao.

The group also filed a police blotter on the illegal search and checkpoint, which prompted the police to later ask for an apology.

“We condemn this act of arrogance from the state’s law enforcing agencies, the PNP and the Armed forces of the Philippines (AFP). They can never silence or stop us from seeking justice,” said Bishop Modesto Villasanta, convenor of the Exodus for Justice and Peace.

Duyog sa Panaw is a national interfaith peace and mercy mission attended by national and local peace and human rights advocates. It sent fact-finding delegations to Pantukan and Sta. Cruz towns, areas where extra-judicial killings have recently occurred.###

Belen Galleto of Save PANTUKAN Alliance whose life is underthreat due to her active stance against the entry

 of foreign and large mining companies

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Press Release
May 22, 2011

39th IB soldiers disrupts peace mission in Sta. Cruz

Davao City - Delegates of the National Fact Finding Mission spearheaded by Exodus for Justice and Peace in Sta. Cruz Davao del Sur were harassed by the elements of the 39th Infantry Battalion of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Saturday (May 21).

The National Fact Finding Mission that was composed of various organizations went to Sta. Cruz to investigate on the killing of two peasant members of the a local farmer’s group in Brgy. Zone 1, Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur and the reported cases of human rights violations brought by the installation of the Barangay Defense System.

Twenty nine delegates from various sectoral organizations arrived at Cagas Gym in Brgy. Zone 1 at around 8:45 in the morning of Saturday.  “Upon our arrival we noticed the presence of more or less two fully-armed military men observing at the youth who were playing volleyball that time,” narrated Jose Arnel Aguilar of the Promotion of Church People’s Response National Capital Region.

“We immediately left the gym and proceed to the Municipal Hall of Sta. Cruz to pay courtesy to Mayor Joel Lopez who assured us of our security in the area,” Aguilar said.

“We returned to Cagas Gym to proceed with our activity.  That was the time we saw that the number of soldiers increased,” he said.

“Although the Barangay Captain of Brgy. Zone 1, Ricky Taylaran,Sr., admitted that he invited the 39th IB to watch over the disco activity of the barangay after the youth sportsfest in the morning, we are appalled that the military were very early to conduct their monitoring. It is very clear that they were in the area to monitor the activity of the fact-finding mission,” he added.

Two unidentified men who were believed to be elements of the 39th IB entered the Day Care Center where the mission team was conducting interviews with the local residents and farmer leaders.

The two suddenly took pictures of the interviewees. “The interviewees and our documentation team were harassed and feared for their security,” Aguilar said.

“Minomonitor nga talaga ang activity namin. Maituturing na harassment ang ginawa nila dahil natakot ang mga inimbitahang residente at mga magsasakang kinakausap namin. Nakapagdulot iyon ng pag-dadalawang-isip sa mga iniinterview na magbahagi ng kanilang mga nalalaman sa lugar at kanilang opinion sa kaso ng mag-amang Dejos,” he said.

“Our team confronted a certain military officer Meneses who denied that they were taking pictures, contrary to what we saw from their digital camera which we borrowed from them,” he said.

“This only shows that the counter-insurgency plan Oplan Bayanihan (OPB), which parades its self to respect human rights and promote peace, is out to threaten, harass and intimidate civilians.  Just like the previous Oplan Bantay Laya, OPB is out to target legal progressive organizations,” Aguilar added. #

Drilling equipment operated by US-Russel mining corporation

Drilling Operation by US-Russel Mining Corporation which violated MPSA with the small-scale miners and FPIC of the Mansaka tribe

Duyog sa Panaw 2011 spearheaded by Exodus for Justice and Peace, in cooperation with Barug Katungod, KARAPATAN, PANALIPDAN,