Even after the show of public outrage over the ambush on the Claver family last July 31, the reign of terror continues to intensify in Kalinga. During the funeral rally of Alyce Omengan-Claver attended by 7,000 people last August 5, 2006, several speakers condemned this brutal incident and called for a stop to political killings and for justice to be served to the victims’ families.

Those demanding for the immediate relief of Kalinga PNP Chief Pedro Ramos are now being met with threats and intimidations coming from suspected military agents and their death squads. The white van, believed to be used in the ambush of the Claver family is freely roaming around in Tabuk with military agents associated with PD Ramos, sowing terror to the civilian populace. In fact, Dr. Chandu Claver’s life is still under threat after the frustrated political assassination.

Likewise, officials and members of The Kalinga Medical Society (KMS) and the Kalinga Apayao Religious Sectors Association (KARSA) are receiving threats and harassment messages over their cellphones. These two organizations have expressed their strong condemnation on the ambush of the Claver and held their own protest action and dialogue with PNP officials.

Also, the President of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines- Kalinga Chapter Atty. Warren Luyaben who has initiated a case against PD Pedro Ramos is receiving death threats in his cellphone. One message he has received went: “Atty. Luyaben, nakokonsensiya ako sa nangyari sa mga Claver. Mag-ingat ka dahil isa ka sa mga nakalistang isusunod” (Atty. Luyaben, I feel sorry for what happened to the Claver family. But be careful, you are one of those included in the list). He believes this message came from one of the hitmen.

We hold Col. Ramos accountable for the continuing reign of terror in Kalinga and the political assassinations and extra judicial killings that ravaged the province. The Cordillera Peoples Alliance (CPA) is reiterating its call for the immediate relief of Col. Pedro Ramos as provincial director of the Philippine National Police (PNP) in Kalinga province. We hold him responsible for the imminent danger faced by activists and concerned citizens of Kalinga and unless he is not pulled out immediately, together with his special forces. Another killing may happen again.

Along with PD Ramos’ relief from duty, we are demanding for speedy and impartial investigation on the killings that have taken place in the province since his term as provincial director. PD Ramos must face the charges against him. The mounting death toll in Kalinga only affirms that government tolerates the killings.

We appeal to the provincial officials of Kalinga and the national government to immediately act on our demand for the relief of PD Ramos in order to avoid more bloodshed in Kalinga. Gov. Dominador Belac should approve the resolution of the Provincial Board on the relief of PD Ramos, instead of suppressing this just action of the other government officals of Kalinga. Furthermore, the officialdom of Kalinga should work together to decisively stop the reign of terror in Tabuk and ensure the security of the people away from further harm and harassments.

As we continue to seek justice for Alyce Omengan-Claver, Rafael Markus Bangit and hundreds who were politically assassinated under the regime of Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, we continue to rally for support from the broad public, across sectors and classes, especially our fellow Igorots, to rage against the killings and the attack to the very essence of our human rights. We continue to demand for justice for the thousands who were orphaned, for the innocent civilians felled or hit by the assassin’s bullet.

We strongly call on all municipal and provincial governments in the Cordillera to stand against political killings, expose the Oplan Bantay Laya, and demand justice to all victims of the GMA administration. It is our duty to put an end to these senseless killings, as making an official stand against it is the right and just thing to do. Let us not wait for another life to be felled by the assassin’s bullets because of his or her commitment to genuinely serve the people. Let us uphold the sanctity of life of every citizen.

Reference:
Windel Bolinget
CPA Secretary General