Japan Group Releases Report on Killings in Philippines

Ramento was also known as a supporter of the poor and working class in central Luzon and Cavite. He supported the striking workers of Hacienda Luisita and condemned human rights violations committed by state forces and their agents.

He also condemned extrajudicial killings very vocally. In September 2006, as Chairperson of Ecumenical Bishop’s Forum, he wrote an open letter to President Arroyo and asked the president to stop all extrajudicial killings.

Harassment

Bishop Ramento’s family referred to specific threats on his life such as text messages that said “Masyado ka ng pakialamero. Ikaw na ang susunod.” (You’ve been meddling too much. You will be the next.) or “Hindi siya tatamaan ng bala, papatayin siya sa saksak.” (He will not be killed by bullets, but by stabbing).

His son, Alberto Ramento II told HRN, “Yes, there were lots of death threats, especially after Father Willian Tadena, a member of the PIC, was killed. The incident happened right after the release of the ‘Know your enemy’ [military propaganda material]. PIC was one of the organizations listed therein as “enemy of the State”. He was the leader of PIC. Every time I met with him at home, he was showing text messages in his cell phone. We were joking. However, in September 2006, his cell phone was stolen. This was the time he got really, really worried about his security. I guess someone was sending warning messages to his cell phone. Some time ago, he got a phone call and he cancelled his visit to Tarlac, and stayed home for two or three days. I think his cell phone was the only tool that protected his security.”

Circumstances of the Killing

In late September to early October in 2006, Typhoon Milenyo came to the Philippines and caused devastation in its aftermath. Bishop Alberto Ramento decided to go to his parish in Tarlac to fix the church which was damaged by the typhoon.

Alberto Ramento II told HRN that:

“This was the first time that he asked me to visit Tarlac to fix the church on behalf of him, but I said we should fix our home first….”

He was killed during the visit to Tarlac. He was found dead in his room in the second floor of his church at around 4:00 a.m. on October 3, 2006. He was fatally stabbed seven times.

Investigation of the Killing

Bishop Ramento’s family and church believe that the finding of the Philippine National Police investigation indicating that the Killing was a simple case of robbery with homicide is an attempt to cover up a politically motivated Killing. Bishop Ramento’s family explained that the entire investigation took only two hours while not allowing family and church people to enter;　after two hours, the police allowed everyone to enter the scene. Ramento Ⅱ said, “ Thus, the crime scene was contaminated”. The family believes that the police did not secure the crime scene, nor were fingerprints taken because such information was not included in the police report. Except for a sworn statement by the church caretaker, Archimedes Ferrer, the police did not conduct interviews of family members or others who knew Bishop Ramento.

On October 6, 2006, a criminal case of Robbery with Homicide was filed against Michael Biado, Michael Quitaliq, Raimond Perez and Joel Villanueava with the Tarlac City Regional Trial Court under the Assistant Provincial Prosecutor, Ma. Lourdes D. Soriano.

On December 6, 2006, the Bishop’s family and church filed a special entry of appearance in order to register their vehement objection to the ‘cover up’ investigation by the police. The suspects also filed a motion for reinvestigation.

4.　Killing of Left-Wing Activists

Background Information:

Case 11 : Felipe Lapa82

【Victim】Felipe Lapa (49 years old, male), labor union president and Bayan Muna member 【incident】Mr. Lapa was killed on October 25, 2001 in front of his home in Calumpang, Liliw, Laguna.

【Perpetrators】The family identified CAFGU members led by 204th Infantry Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division as perpetrators.