Victims File Nearly 200 Human-Rights Violations Cases
One hundred cases including 180 human rights violations on peasants, fisherfolk, peasant women and agri-workers from 2001 to 2009 were filed at the National Democratic Front of the Philippines–Joint Monitoring Committee (NDFP-JMC) on Monday by progressive groups Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP, Peasant Movement of the Philippines) and Tanggol Magsasaka (Peasant Network for Land, Justice and Human Rights).
Families of victims and leaders of peasant groups, Pamalakaya-Pilipinas, Amihan, Unyon ng mga Manggagawa sa Agrikultura (UMA) and Anakpawis Partylist were also present during the filing.
The cases will be reported by the NDFP–JMC to the Government of the Republic of the Philippines–JMC (GRP–JMC) and serve as substantial documents in monitoring the implementation of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL) of the peace talks between the NDFP and GRP.
“This simply means that there is no holiday for the Arroyo government to abuse the peasants and violate our rights. We are filing these cases to the NDFP so that they could table it on the panel, to show that the GRP forces are in total disrespect of human rights,” said Antonio Flores, KMP National Auditor and former Chair of KMP–SMR.
According to Flores, violations with the most number of cases with this batch of filing are harassment on peasants by the military and police and summary execution/extra-judicial killings, which included the cases of Gracel Galacio, the 9 year-old girl from Compostela Valley killed by the military on March 31, 2007 and Celso Pojas, Chair of Farmers’ Association in Davao City (FADC) and Spokesperson of KMP–Southern Mindanao Region (KMP–SMR) killed on May 5, 2008.
Breakdown of Cases Filed by Year
| YEAR | NO. OF CASES | % |
|---|---|---|
| 2009 | 38 | 21 |
| 2008 | 110 | 60 |
| 2007 | 12 | 7 |
| 2006 | 13 | 7 |
| 2005 | 2 | 1 |
| 2004 | 3 | 2 |
| 2003 | 1 | 1 |
| 2001 | 3 | 2 |
| TOTAL | 182 | |
| Source: Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) |
Flores added that majority of the cases filed occurred in 2008 and that most of the victims were accused of being members or supporters of the New People’s Army (NPA). This year, 38 violations were already recorded or about 21% of the total number of cases.
“After we file these at the NDFP, we would make sure that different sectors would have a copy so that they would be aware that the human rights situation in our country is on its worse, we would seek their support to call for justice and punishment for those elements of the military who trampled upon the rights of peasants nationwide,” said Flores. (pinoypress.net)
Breakdown of Number of Cases Filed
| CASES | NO. | % |
|---|---|---|
| Summary Execution | 34 | 19 |
| Harassment, Intimidation and Threat (HIT) | 21 | 12 |
| Harassment (21% w/ HIT) | 17 | 9 |
| Threat (20% w/ HIT) | 16 | 9 |
| Intimidation | 16 | 9 |
| Torture | 8 | 4 |
| Violation of Domicile | 7 | 4 |
| Arrest and Detention | 7 | 4 |
| Physical Assault | 6 | 3 |
| Use of Civilians as Guide for Mil. Purposes | 6 | 3 |
| Enforced Disappearances | 5 | 3 |
| Forced Evacuation | 5 | 3 |
| Destruction of Property | 5 | 3 |
| Divestment of Property | 5 | 3 |
| Use of Public Places for Mil. Purposes | 5 | 3 |
| Criminalization of Political Offense | 3 | 2 |
| Endangerment of Civilians | 3 | 2 |
| Coercion | 2 | 1 |
| Violation of Children's Right to Protection from State's Forces | 2 | 1 |
| Strafing | 1 | 1 |
| Frustrated Killing | 1 | 1 |
| Violation of HDC | 1 | 1 |
| Violation of Miranda Doctrine | 1 | 1 |
| Attempted Killing | 1 | 1 |
| Landgrabbing | 1 | 1 |
| Displacement | 1 | 1 |
| Mass Arrest | 1 | 1 |
| Violation of Children's Right to Survival | 1 | 1 |
| TOTAL | 182 | |
| Source: Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) |
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