HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH

Cagayan Peasants Denounce Unabated Killings

In Cagayan province, the celebration of Christmas is farthest from the minds of members of militant groups as death squads relentlessly attack them.

BY ABE ALMIROL
Northern Dispatch
Posted by Bulatlat

TUGUEGARAO CITY – A youth leader was killed on December 15 while a 64-year old farmer survived an attack on December 17 in two separate incidents in Cagayan province, northern Philippines.

The council of leaders of Kagimungan, a local chapter of the Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP or Peasant Movement of the Philippines), condemned the killing of Anakbayan member Nelson Asucena and the attempted murder of indigenous peoples advocate Roque Frence.

Asucena was allegedly killed by soldiers in front of his residence in Barangay San Juan, Rizal, Cagayan at around 10:30 p.m. on December 15.

“Six men in full battle gear dropped by the Asucena’s residence and asked for water to drink. While Nelson was collecting the cups used, he was shot by the armed men who fled towards an army detachment in Bural,” Kagimungan said in a statement. “The attackers are soldiers because if it were lawless elements, why would they run towards an army camp?”

The Philippine Army (PA) detachment in Barangay San Juan, which is part of Zinundungan Valley, believed to be an NPA lair, Zinundungan Valley, is led by 2nd Lieutenant Marcelo Pascua of the 21st Infantry Battalion.

Asucena was the chair of the Sangguniang Kabataan (Youth Council) of his barangay and an active member of Anakbayan. Kagimungan called for a speedy and impartial investigation into Asucena’s death.

Two days after Asucena’s killing, Frence was shot by unidentified men in front of his house in Torkiya, Cabiraoan, Gonzaga, Cagayan at around 7 a.m. A bullet penetrated his right leg. His neighbors brought him to a hospital in Aparri, Cagayan but because he had no money, Frence was not admitted. He was brought instead back home for treatment.

Frence is a member of Dagup Igorot Association, an organization of Igorots (an indigenous tribe in the north) in Cagayan. He worked with Anthony Licyayo, chairperson of the Kagimungan peasant alliance, who was slain last month.

In the past months, four persons were attacked by alleged “death squads” in Cagayan. Three of the victims died, namely, Joey Javier, Licyayo and, most recently, Asucena. Bulatlat

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