August 2, 2006

In the continuing nationwide terror of political killings, Dr. Constancio “Chandu” Claver and his family were ambushed at 6:45 AM on July 31 in Bulanao, Tabuk, Kalinga after sending two of their children to school. Chandu and his 11-year old daughter, Sandy, survived the ambush while his wife, Alyce, died after five hours of hanging on to life.

This incident occurred in less than two months after Cordillera Peoples Alliance (CPA) leader Rafael “Markus” Bangit was brutally killed in Echangue, Isabela on June 8. The case is still unsolved up to this day. Markus Bangit and Dr. Chandu Claver are both respected tribal war mediators and prominent leaders of Bayan Muna-Kalinga and CPA-Kalinga. Suspects on the killings of Markus Bangit and Alyce Claver as well as the attempted assassination of Dr. Chandu Claver are believed to be elements of the Philippine military and the Philippine National Police (PNP) in Kalinga.

Dr. Chandu Claver, 49 and a native of Bontoc, Mountain Province, has been a doctor of the masses for decades and is known as a staunch advocate of human rights, peace and justice. His wife, Alyce, has also been a member of CPA and has given invaluable support to different socio-civic organizations in Kalinga and to his husband as well, while being a devoted mother to their three children. Alyce, 42, is a native of Sagada, Mountain Province.

In a statement on August 1, CPA Chairperson Joan Carling stated “We hold (PNP-Kalinga Provincial Director Pedro Geronimo) Ramos accountable to the ambush of the Claver Family and we demand that he should be pulled out of Kalinga and face the charges of severe human rights violations and sowing terror amongst the people.”

A week after Pres. Gloria Arroyo delivered her State of the Nation Address (SONA) on July 24, at least 4 journalist and activists, including Alyce Claver, were mercilessly killed in the nationwide simultaneous political killings that was conducted on July 31.

According to Carling, “While the President condemned political killings, she likewise praised General Palparan who is being charged with extra judicial killings of legal activists. It is not condemnation that is needed from the President. It is to make herself and her Military Generals and officials accountable and responsible to these serious transgressions with impunity to the fundamental right to life and security of hundreds of activists, journalists and civilians.”

President Arroyo’s commendation of General Jovito Palparan in her SONA and the wave of political killings that followed is an outright affirmation of the Arroyo regime’s policy on political killings. Giving full praise to Jovito Palparan known for his crimes against humanity clearly concludes that Arroyo directs this policy as the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and as illegitimate president. No justice and peace would ever prevail as long as Arroyo remains in power with such policy.

In the region, the lives of Cordillera leaders and activists remain threatened through close surveillance and harassment by suspected military agents.

In the light of the intensified political killings in the country, CPA calls on the public and the international community to condemn the killings, demand justice for the families of victims, and exert utmost pressure to the Philippine government to stop these grave human rights abuses.

“We also appeal to other governments, international bodies and institutions to denounce these killings and withdraw their support to the Philippine government until it upholds its international commitments and obligations on human rights,” Carling added. # Sarah K. Dekdeken / CPA Public Information Commission