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A Statement of Concern by the University Council of the University of the Philippines Baguio: END ABDUCTIONS AND POLITICAL KILLINGS

Statement from the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues Chairperson

November 10, 2006

As we approach the first year death anniversaries of Jose “Pepe” Manegdeg and Albert “Alter” Terradaño, killed by members of the death squads of the US-GMA Regime on November 28 and 29 last year – the death squad nearly claimed another life in Ilocos.

At around 9:00 o’clock last night, November 9, Rev. Billy Austin Chairperson of BAYAN-Ilocos, with other participants, left the Ecumenical Human Rights Training held at the United Methodist Church, Florentino St., Vigan to proceed to the BAYAN office located at Del Pilar Extension, near the Vigan Public Market. A few meters away from the training venue, they noticed motorcycle-riding men and a van tailing them. They continued to the BAYAN office until two unidentified assassins aboard a motorcycle without headlights drove towards them and fired at Rev. Austin. Austin sustained two gunshot wounds, one on each of his leg.

The victims had just come from a CARHRIHL (Comprehensive Agreement on the Respect of Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law) training being given by NDFP (National Democratic Front of the Philippines)-Joint Secretariat Nominees. The CARHRIHL is the first agreement resulting from the peace negotiations between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) and NDFP. It was signed in toto by the Chairperson of the NDFP, Mariano Orosa on April 10, 1998. Joseph Estrada, the GRP President later signed the document in August 1998. Both Parties (GRP and the NDFP) are mandated to conduct information dissemination, education and training on the CARHRIHL. The CARHRIHL is the first agreement on the substantial topics of the peace talks between the NDFP and the GRP. It is outrageous that even trainings on human rights and international humanitarian law and its participants are targeted by the State’s death squads.

The shooting of Austin comes after a series of death threats were received by active supporters- of BAYAN MUNA in Ilocos. Hon. Robert Tudayan, Candon City councilor; Hon. Rogelio Biteng, councilor of Salcedo, IS; and Hon. Franklin Dungalen, Association of Barangay Councils, President – all active supporters of -BAYAN MUNA partylist received black ribbons from an unknown sender on October 4, 6 and 13, respectively. Also recently, Berto Galicia, barangay captain of Tablac, Candon City, was abducted and to date, has not yet been found, after he received a similar black ribbon.

These death threats and attempts on the lives of progressive individuals is part of GMA’s declaration of war against the left under the Oplan Bantay Laya.

The number of victims are increasing despite the growing international and national condemnation on political killings, enforced disappearances, torture, and massacres occurring in the country. This is not simply an issue of the investigatory capabilities of the PNP but points to the involvement of military and law enforcers in said violations.

To date not a single case has been solved. To date the victims and their families still cry out for justice.

The Cordillera Peoples’ Alliance / Bagong Alyansang Makabayan-Cordillera (CPA/BAYAN-Cordillera) condemns the frustrated killing of Rev. Austin and holds accountable the US-GMA regime, which is culpable for all of these killings and other violations. #

Stop the Killings!
Justice to all Victims of State Terrorism!

Reference: Beverly Longid
Chairperson
Cordillera Peoples Alliance