AUGUST 1, 2006

Rage. Rage against another act of state terrorism. On 31 July, around 6:45 AM at the Bulanao junction in Tabuk, Kalinga, bullets were sprayed on the vehicle of Dr. Chandu and Alice Omengan Claver. The family just brought 2 other daughters to schools. Both sustained multiple wounds. Alice, 42, was hit on the head, neck and shoulders. Chandu, 49, sustained wounds on his chest and arms. Sam, their 7-year old daughter was unhurt but is deeply traumatized. They were rushed to the Kalinga Provincial Hospital. Chandu is fighting for his survival. Alice didn’t make it. She died before noon that same day.

Rage against this act of cowardice and barbarism. The 3 male assailants aboard a dark blue Delica van fled towards the direction of Tuguegarao. They fled like free birds meeting no apprehension by PNP-military checkpoints along the highway. Who would dare wreak such violence to a well respected couple noted for their sincere community services? Who was the real target? Chandu is a medical doctor who opted to deliver his best services in the province of Kalinga. He was an activist eversince. He didn’t limit his know-how on his field of profession, he joined the peoples’ actions in Kalinga in the struggle to defend land and life. He is a staunch human rights defender. By firmly holding on to his principles of service that his life and security was threatened. But he was not cowed. After the death of CPA leader Markus Bangit by a death squad of the GMA regime last June 8, Chandu braved the more pronouced harassment in order to perfom his role as chair of the progressive party list Bayan Muna in Kalinga and vice-chair of the Kalinga chapter of the Cordillera Peoples Alliance.

One time, while Chandu was speaking over a local radio, an anonymous texter sent a message to Alice saying, “Matapang talaga si Doctor. Hindi kayo mahal” (Dr. is indeed daring. He doesn’t love you).

Alice was also an activist during her college years. She may not have been an open activist when she went back to Tabuk but her heart was always close to the poor and struggling people. She opted to give most of her time to her family, yet she is always supportive of the people’s cause. And so her support for Chandu’s direct involvement to the people’s movement in Kalinga and in the Cordillera is immense. Her heart is always open for any support.

Rage over a collateral damage. Clearly, the target was Chandu. But the death squads of the state are not discriminate on their targets. Death squads only obey the command. Those who will be included are considered by the GMA regime as collateral damage. In this case, Alice was the collateral damage. So inhumane to think about. Kalinga’s Philippine National Police (PNP) provincial director Ramos may not have realized that his hasty and premature declaration of Alice as dead when interviewed over the radio was giving a cue for people to rage. First, he was not the attending physician. Secondly, he did not conduct an investigation to base his statement. Was he rushing to announce an accomplishment? Regional Director of the PNP in the Cordillera Gonzales, was equally not sensible, justifying the incident with a claim that Chandu is a personality of the NDF (National Democratic Front). What kind of reasoning are we receiving from state forces expected to give due protection to civilian populace? Indeed, we must rage.

Rage over a great loss of a woman. We grieve but we must rage. The unexpected killing of Alice has orphaned 3 young daughters who have yet to understand and overcome such brutality. The killing of Alice leaves Chandu widowed. The killing of Alice leaves a family, entire clans, people and women’s organizations and communities in deep grief. The killing of Alice leaves us all who respect the sanctity of life and pursuers of social justice to RAGE and demand justice.

We demand the PNP Kalinga to present a report of the incident. We demand the provincial director of the PNP to leave his post as killings in the province has become systematice since he assumed the post. We demand a stop to the killings and justice for the attempt on Chandu’s life. We unite against a tyrannical provincial PNP director and against an oppresive regime of GMA. We realize this by being one family, community and people.

We extend our highest respect to a dependable woman, wife, mother, sister, friend and human rights advocate named Alice. #

Reference:

Vernie Yocogan-Diano

Innabuyog-GABRIELA Cordillera Secretary General