“Macalintal’s death is a grave loss to the human rights community and a chilling reminder of the dangers faced by those who champion justice in our country.”

CAGAYAN DE ORO — Groups condemned the killing of LGBTQIA+ member Ali Macalintal, a former activist and journalist in Mindanao. She was shot dead inside an acupuncture clinic at Calina Street, Barangay Lagao, General Santos City, on Monday, June 23.

The victim sustained three gunshot wounds to her body. She was rushed to the nearest hospital but was declared dead on arrival.

Cristina Palabay, secretary general of human rights group Karapatan, called for a swift and thorough probe for the identification and eventual arrest of the perpetrator, including the mastermind.

Macalintal was a former deputy secretary general of Karapatan-Soccsksargen Region, a co-organizer and participant in several fact-finding missions in Mindanao. She was also a legal officer of Bahaghari Soccsksargen and a paralegal for the Union of Peoples’ Lawyers in Mindanao.

Macalintal was also part of the “Gensan 3,” who were wrongfully arrested during a police raid in April 2002, linking them to the deadly bomb attack in front of FitMart Department Store in General Santos City. In 2010, they were all acquitted.

In February of 2019, Karapatan released an urgent alert after Macalintal was harassed by a suspected state agent, circulating a text message that she was shot dead. In addition, an unidentified and hooded individual onboard on a motorcycle also accosted Macalintal, asking “Where do you want to be brought? To hell or paradise?”

Macalintal joined the broadcast industry in the same year and became anchor-reporter of Radio Philippines Network DXDX-General Santos City. She also became a professional acupuncturist.

A certain Jun, Macalintal’s friend, told reporters in an interview that a man wearing a red top and face mask posed as a client on Monday and shot the victim inside a spa. Jun added the victim received another threat last year but couldn’t provide details.

Reyna Valmores Salinas, chairperson of national LGBTQIA+ alliance Bahaghari, decried the killing of Macalintal. “We lost a powerful voice in advancing LGBTQ+ rights in the country. Ali’s bravery will not be forgotten by the community during Pride Month,” she said.

Former Bayan Muna representative Carlos Zarate also expressed outrage and sadness about the brutal killing, recalling how dedicated Macalintal was as a human rights defender.

“Ali dedicated her life to defending the rights of the marginalized, seeking truth as a journalist, and tirelessly working as a paralegal. Her death is a grave loss to the human rights community and a chilling reminder of the dangers faced by those who champion justice in our country,” Zarate said.

The former lawmaker urged the Philippine National Police and other government agencies to bring justice for Macalintal, adding the incident must not be added to the list of unsolved murder cases in the country. 

Prior to sharing the key findings of her visit to the Philippines during a press conference in Geneva on Tuesday, June 24, United Nations Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression and Opinion Irene Khan cited the recent killing of Macalintal, saying a lot more needs to be done despite some changes in the Marcos Jr administration.

Khan also urged the Philippine press to keep human rights issues alive. “Keep on reporting when cases are dragged out for too long, when journalists are attacked and crimes are not investigated. I encourage you to keep focus on human rights issues.” (RBV)