Initial List of Election-related human rights violations

By the Promotion of Church People’s Response (PCPR)
Posted by Bulatlat.com

Initial List of Reported Incidents of Harassment, Vilification, Killings and other Rights Violations Against Bayan Muna, Anakpawis, Anak ng Bayan, Gabriela Women’s Party, Suara Bangsamoro, Migrante Sectoral Party and Other Legal and Legitimate People’s Organizations during the 2004 Election Campaign Period as of 7 May 2004

May 7 – At around 3:00 a.m. at the Anakpawis regional headquarters in Brgy. Pinarik, Legazpi City, a staff member of Anakpawis smells gasoline and soon discovers that their office is on fire. A bomb is discovered at the office’s door. A portion of the office and campaign materials are burned.

May 7 – At around 2:00 in the afternoon, the Bayan Muna office in Angeles City, Pampanga is raided by at least seven armed men in plainclothes. Five of them initially pretend to ask water from the staff, Divine Zamboanga. They then push Zamboanga into the office, hit, kick, and tie her to a chair. Two of the men with cover on their faces point their guns at Zamboanga. They place a tape over the victim’s mouth and tell her to stop pursuing Bayan Muna’s activities. The men take the office’s computer monitor, CPU, laptop and a cellular phone. They also cart off with two sackloads of documents, posters, campaign materials, tapes, video CDs, and other materials.

May 7- In a report posted at Inq7.net, National Security Adviser Norberto Gonzales announces the creation of government task force that will monitor the six party-list groups and prepare disqualification cases against them. The Task Force is composed of the AFP, PNP and DOJ. Gonzales claims he got the approval of the Cabinet Oversight Committee

May 7 – various black propaganda materials sprout in Central Luzon. The materials contain the following messages: “HUWAG IBOTO! BAYAN MUNA Tuta ng Komunismo!” ; “Tutulan ang paghariharian ng mga komunistang Bayan Muna, Anak ng Bayan, Anakpawis, Migrante at Suara Bangsamoro” ; and “Satur Ocampo hubarin mo ang iyong maskara para makita ng bayan ang ahas among balat! Na di ka totoong anak ng bayan kundi anak ng kamatayan! Komunista!”

May 7 – The Leyte Samar Daily Express publishes a paid political advertisement by a group called People’s Broad National Democratic Alliance which shows the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army declaring the six groups as their allied party-lists. The ad also shows various legal political organizations as members of the National Democratic Front.

May 7 – Bayan Muna in Southern Mindanao reports of massive black propaganda posters in Compostela Valley. The posters link the six groups to the NPA and Jose Maria Sison and tell the people not to vote for them. Text messages calling on the people not to vote for the groups circulate.

May 6 and 7 – The Sunstar Daily in Cebu publishes a paid political advertisement by the People’s Broad Democratic Alliance showing the same black propaganda as in the Leyte Samar Daily Express.

May 6 - At around 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. three unidentified men ask a tenant in the Suara Bangsamoro Office’s regarding the whereabouts of the group’s staff. The inquire about the persons who frequent the office, how many of them sleep in the office and what type of vehicles are being used.

May 6 – Black propaganda streamers sprout in Guadalupe, Santolan and SM Megamall area along EDSA bearing the message “ Isulong ang pakikibaka ng NPA sa Kongreso!!! – BAYAN MUNA”

May 4- Massive black propaganda against the six groups is seen in Northern Luzon through streamers, posters and text messages.

May 2 – Large posters are seen in San Fernando, Pampanga with the following messages: “HWAG IBOTO! Grupo ng terorista sa buong daigdig-- Jose Maria Sison, NPA, Anakpawis, Gabriela, Migrante, Suara Bangsamoro, Anak ng Bayan, Bayan Muna – tuta ng komunismo, tuta pa ng terorismo; BAYAN MUNA mangongotong ng teroristang CPP/NPA”

April 29- Bayan Muna officer Rogelio Perez, along with his wife Cristina, also a Bayan Muna officer, is peppered with bullets during a people’s caucus in Pagbilao, Quezon by armed assailants suspected to be elements of the military. Perez sustains 13 gunshot wounds all over his body and dies on the spot. He is Bayan Muna’s 41st martyr. Cristina is rushed to the hospital where she lies in a very critical state.

April 28- Anakpawis-Calapan coordinator Isaias Manano Jr., 23, is shot from behind by two unidentified assailants in Calapan City. Manano sustains six gunshot wounds mostly in the head from a .45 –caliber pistol and dies instantly.

April 28- At around 2:00 a.m., Suara Bangsamoro coordinator Ben Maulana, 56, is arrested without any warrant and detained by a joint police-military operative in his residence in Brgy. Culiat, Tandang Sora, Quezon City on trumped–up charges of illegal possession of drugs.

April 26-The Armed Forces of the Philippines holds a forum entitled, “Pilipinas: Sa Mata ng Komunismo” at the University of the Philippines in Diliman. Lt. Commander Teddy Quinzon, PN, delivers a two-hour input on communism and charges that the six party-list groups are being controlled by communists.

April 24-Bayan Muna members Charlie Mandaya Davao, Ganadi Pinamaylan, and Charlie Utag are instantly shot to death in Laak, Compostela Valley. Armed perpetrators believed to be elements of the 60th IB charge the three to be members of the New People’s Army and then fires at them. Shortly after, a certain 2ndLt. Salcedo of the 60th IB strafes the area, wounding a civilian in the process. Assailants then place their guns on top of the three casualties to depict a fake encounter scene between government troops and insurgents. The gunmen then join the larger contingent of 60th IB forces. The three victims are the 38th, 39th, and 40th martyrs of Bayan Muna. Meanwhile, the wounded civilian along with the barangay captain who witnessed the incident, is suddenly missing.

April 24 – Anak ng Bayan coordinators Oliver Ostunal, 29, and Reuel Adornado, 21 are chased and then abducted by suspected elements of the 415th Provincial Police Mobile Group under a certain Major Chief Inspector Villanueva in Brgy. Mangilag, Candelaria, Quezon.

April 22-23 – Black propaganda smear paint against Bayan Muna appear in key areas of Metro Manila. Spray paints cite the following “Vote Bayan Muna – Joma, Ka Roger” and “Mabuhay CPP-NPA – Bayan Muna.” Along E. Rodriguez Ave., unidentified civilians on board an L-300 van with yellow plate number CWG380 are seen spray painting. Along Q-Mart area in Cubao, two civilians with three escorts in fatigue uniform and armed with M-16 rifles are seen doing the same.

April 21 – While campaigning, Ronald Ian Evidente (25), 5th nominee of Anak ng Bayan is arrested and detained in Dumaguete City, Negros Island. His rights were not read when two arresting officers seized him. [On May 6, Evidente was released on bail.]

April 20 – A group of soldiers harass members and leaders of Migrante Sectoral Party in Narvacan, Ilocos Norte while conducting a public meeting with residents. Soldiers compel the leaders and members to identify their names, invoking the act as “standard operating procedure” (SOP). April 18 – Party-list groups staging a Bicol-wide caravan are blocked by soldiers in Partido, Camarines Sur near the 42nd Infantry Battalion Headquarters in Tigaon town. Troops open fire at the lead truck, hitting several participants. Disembarking participants are manhandled, and threatened with arrest. Leo Caballero of Anak ng Bayan is beaten up by soldiers until he vomited blood. Other troops point their guns at Tess Pielago, a Gabriela nominee, Willy Marbella of Anakpawis, Apo Alvarez, first nominee of Anak ng Bayan, and Erik Torrecampo of Bayan-Camarines Sur. The soldiers attempt to abduct Pielago, Eva del Rosario of Migrante and Quentin Agagad of Anakpawis. The military confiscates Anakpawis posters and other leaflets.

April 18 – Hand-painted slogans depicting Bayan Muna as a “front organization” of the CPP/NPA/NDF sprout in walls located along major thoroughfares across Metro Manila.

April 18 – A 250-member caravan of Anakpawis in Mindoro Oriental is repeatedly blocked and subjected to interrogations and checkpoints by elements of the 204th Infantry Brigade. Soldiers search through the personal belongings of the participants, curse the latter, and accuse them of being supporters of the New People’s Army. April 16 – Human rights groups led by Tanggol-Karapatan and Anakpawis party- list are held for two straight days in a church in Roxas, Mindoro Oriental by elements of the 204th Infantry Brigade.

April 15 – AFP Public Information Officer Lt. Col. Daniel Lucero in a media briefing accuses Bayan Muna and other progressive party-list groups of being “communist fronts.” On the same day, Bayan Muna files a P 9.8 million libel suit against Gonzales at the Department of Justice.

April 15 – Nine soldiers belonging to the 78th Infantry Battalion harass and block Bayan Muna leaders and members from holding a voter’s education seminar in Sitio Binalbagan, Brgy. Santican, Danao City in Central Visayas.

April 15 – Anakpawis coordinator Edwin Mascariñas is killed in Bongabong, Mindoro Oriental by armed assailants believed to be elements of the notorious 204th Infantry Birigade.

April 13 – Some 50 armed elements from the Catarman Municipal PNP and the 803rd Brigade of the AFP surround the Bayan Muna Provincial Headquarters in Sitio Buhkasan, Barangay Cawayan, Catarman, Northern Samar from 8pm to 10pm, coercing members of the staff to allow them to enter and search the office even without any formal warrant.

April 13 – Soldiers belonging to the 3rd SFB PA abduct and kill Anakpawis leader and coordinator Edwin Mascarinas (20) in Brgy. Masaquise in Bongabong, Mindoro Oriental.

April 9 – Unidentified men attempt to snatch College Editors Guild of the Philippines President and Anak ng Bayan 3rd party-list nominee Ronalyn Olea. She suffers major wounds and bruises in the back, legs and arms.

April 8 – Bayan Muna national headquarters receives numerous reports from its regional chapters across the country that leaflets, posters, newsletters and other materials containing black propaganda are being distributed in their areas.

April 5 – Transport group Piston and party-list Anakpawis staging a province- wide transport strike are publicly accused by Pampanga Provincial Police Director Rodolfo “Boogie” Mendoza of having links with the NPA.

April 5 – The Philippine Daily Inquirer prints exclusive headline story on National Security Adviser Norberto Gonzales’ April 2 National Security briefing charging the six party-list groups as “communist fronts” and seeks the said groups’ disqualification in the May polls

April 2 – National Security Adviser Norberto Gonzales, during a briefing of the National Security Council, charges Bayan Muna, Anakpawis, Gabriela, Migrante, Suara Bangsamoro and Anak ng Bayan of being “communist fronts” and seeks the said parties’ disqualification in the May polls.

Similar materials were distributed near the National Headquarters of Gabriela in Brgy. Laging Handa in Quezon City, and in other parts of Metro Manila. The malicious materials, signed by a group called “Bayan Ayaw sa Komunismo” (BAKO), depict Gabriela and its party’s first nominee, Rep. Liza Maza, as “communists.”

March 17 – In Bilar town, Bohol, elements of the 28th Special Forces of the Armed Forces of the Philippines led by Sergeants Quipis, Caritan and Tobias have set up camp in Brgy. Dagohoy, a few steps away from the Day Care Center of the village. The military has been actively campaigning against Anakpawis, Bayan Muna, Gabriela and Anak ng Bayan. They have frequently approached members of Alayong Bilarnon, a local peasant organization warning them against voting for these party list groups which they claim are supported by the NPA.

March 16 -- In Hacienda Luisita, soldiers distribute flyers labeling Bayan Muna as a “communist front.” Similar flyers, film showing and village level forums are also held by the military across Central Luzon for the period of March. In Tarlac, soldiers pass themselves as civilians looking for a house to rent. In the process, they inquire who among the residents are Bayan Muna members.

March 15 – Soldiers belonging to the 76th IBPA hold camp in various barangay halls and elementary schools in at least 7 towns located in the province of Quezon since January. They claim to be conducting “barangay immersion programs” but are in fact actively campaigning against Anakpawis, and pressuring residents not to vote for the said party-list group.

March 13 – Soldiers abduct Pedro Bueta (53) of Anakpawis-Laguna from his house in Brgy. Buo, Magdalena, Laguna. Soldiers detain and keep Bueta away from his family for 6 days. He was released on the evening of March 18, looking dazed and nervous.

The Philippine Daily Inquirer prints story on Gonzales’ accusation at the FOCAP forum that Bayan Muna representatives Satur Ocampo, Crispin Beltran and Liza Maza diverted their congressional funds to the New People’s Army

March 12 – In a forum sponsored by the Foreign Correspondents’ Association of the Philippines, National Security Adviser Norberto Gonzales accuses, without any basis, Bayan Muna representatives Satur Ocampo, Crispin Beltran and Liza Maza of diverting their Priority Development Assistance Funds (PDAF) to the New People’s Army

March 2- Bayan Muna member Isiderio delos Santos, along with others, is abducted by armed men believed to be members of the 42nd Infantry Battalion in Lagonoy, Camarines Sur. The rest are thereafter released except for delos Santos.

March (1st and 2nd week) – Barangay tanods monitor suspicious-looking men conducting frequent surveillance of the residence of Bayan Muna Rep. Satur Ocampo in Brgy. Sta. Cruz, Heroes Hill in Quezon City. The tanods later confirm one of the men as Aniano “Silver” Flores, hired gunman of the Mindoro- based 204th IB responsible for the killing of Bayan Muna coordinator Edilberto “Choy” Napoles, Jr, among others.

February 21- Bayan Muna members Jacqueline Paguntalan, 26, and Rolando Fortaliza, 28, are abducted by armed men in Baybay, Northern Leyte.

February 18- armed men forcibly enter the house of Anakpawis member Adrian Alegria, 23, in Brgy. Sta. Cruz, Mindoro Oriental at around 2:30 a.m. The armed men abduct Alegre and board him in a red pick-up truck. At around 10:00 a.m., his lifeless body is found in Sablayan, Mindoro Occidental. Alegre sustains two gunshot wounds in the chest and seven stab wounds.

February 13- Bayan Muna-endorsed mayoralty candidate and Naujan vice-mayor Atty. Juvy Magsino, 34, and Bayan Muna coordinator Leyma Fortu, 27, are chased by armed men and repeatedly shot to death in Naujan, Mindoro Oriental. The two become Bayan Muna’s 36th and 37th martyrs.

Other Related Cases:

1. Removal of campaign materials and posters of the six party-list groups by elements of the AFP and PNP in Ilocos, Masbate, Isabela and Bohol

2. Barangay-level campaigns calling for the non-voting of Bayan Muna in Agusan, Masbate, Bohol, Cebu, Ilocos and Bicol

3. Blocking and harassment of campaign caravans in Masbate

4. Blocking and harassment of pollwatch trainings in North Cotabato, Eastern Samar, Bulacan, Compostela Valley, Laguna and Mindoro. 

Posted by Bulatlat.com

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