HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH

Cordi Rights Group Remembers First Slain NL Activist,
Hits Anti-Terror Law

As human rights advocates here commemorated the second death anniversary of Romy Sanchez, they also condemned the passage amid wide opposition of the Human Security Act of 2007 also known as the Anti-Terrorism Law. Sanchez is the first activist killed in Northern Luzon under the Arroyo administration.

BY KIM QUITASOL
Northern Dispatch
Posted by Bulatlat

BAGUIO CITY (246 kms. north of Manila) — As human rights advocates here commemorated the second death anniversary of Romy Sanchez, they also condemned the passage amid wide opposition of the Human Security Act of 2007 also known as the Anti-Terrorism Law.

Sanchez is the first activist killed in Northern Luzon under the Arroyo administration.

In a statement, the Cordillera Human Rights Alliance (CHRA) said the Human Security Act violates provisions of the Constitution specifically on arrest and detention without warrant, security and surveillance processes, freedom of expression and assembly, right to privacy, and freedom of mobility of suspects.

“It is ironical for the law to be called Human Security Act when in fact it poses serious violations to civil and political liberties which are pillars of human security and dignity,” the CHRA statement read.

Elvie Sanchez, wife of Romy, stressed that the Arroyo administration should stop the senseless killing of people who are serving the toiling masses. “My husband died for a cause,” said Elive, who is with Hustisya-Northern Luzon, in Ilocano. “His death is not in vain because we his family and friends are continuing what he has started.”

Hustisya is the organization of survivors and families of victims of political killings.

Elvie further said justice for her husband’s death is not yet served, as the perpetrators are still free. She criticized the Philippine National Police (PNP) for declaring her husband’s case solved without being able to arrest a single suspect.

“What kind of justice system declares a case solved when perpetrators are not brought to justice?” Elvie said. “It has been two years since my husband died and we have accepted that he is already dead but it is still painful.”

Romy’s family, friends and human rights advocates offered an ecumenical mass at the Igorot Park here on March 9. After the mass, the group offered prayers, songs, flowers and candles at the city market where Romy was killed.

Romy was killed on March 9, 2005 at the city public market. The Baguio City Police Office identified a certain Aries Binoya as the gunman who killed Romy and filed a case on June 30, 2005. The court consequently issued a warrant of arrest but Binoya remains free as of press time.

Romy was 39 at the time of his death. He was the secretary-general of Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) in Ilocos and regional coordinator of Bayan Muna (People First) also in Ilocos. Northern Dispatch / Posted by Bulatlat 

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