Issue No. 2 | 2017 Released by KARAPATAN (Alliance for the Advancement of People’s Rights)

MARTIAL LAW, INTENSIFICATION OF HRVS Mark Duterte’s First Year in Office

une 30, 2017 marked President ’s first year in office. Despite encouraging Jdevelopments at the beginning of his presidency last July 2016, such as the release of 19 peace consultants of the National Democratic Front of the (NDFP) and the resumption of the peace talks between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) and the NDFP, his strong criticism of continuing US intervention in the country, and his promises to end contractualization and the demolition of urban poor people’s houses, there remains little cause for celebration. Rightly so, the people have started to question this administration’s alarming propensity for the militarists’ treacherous ploys. 2 KARAPATAN Monitor 3 3 April-June 2017 3

Hapilon, a commander of the Abu military trucks. Others who attempted the number of civilian casualties at the interview, said she saw with her Protest action vs. militarization of Sayyaf Group. The clash spiralled into to go back to their homes found their 125 persons, 59 of whom died due to own eyes how the bomb hit the house bureaucracy and the appointment of a day of confusion for the people of houses ransacked and their belongings illnesses in evacuation centers, but while the two were still there. Her Cimatu as DENR Chief, May 19, 2017 at DENR Office. (c) Kalikasan Marawi and the rest of the country, missing. residents suspected the number of nephew, Saypudin, 13, followed suit with social and mainstream media On May 24, 2017, an evacuee deaths was much higher. but the army personnel took him. Until reporting a myriad of conflicting and named Tamil returned to his house There was no truth to government today, Saypudin has yet to be found, unreliable accounts of the incident. to try and save his family’s other claims that the aerial strikes were and the bodies of Idris and Jalal have Duterte placed the entire belongings. However, he did not “surgical”. As the situation in Marawi yet to be recovered. under martial law and suspended the proceed when, from a distance, he showed, the attacks were irresponsibly In a report dated July 1, privilege of the writ of habeas corpus. saw armed men in military uniform and indiscriminately done. 2017, of the Department of Social Duterte’s martial law inevitably searching his residence. He waited and Among the accounts documented Welfare and Development-Disaster accorded the military with greater went in when the soldiers left, only to by NIHM teams was that of Idris Response Operations Monitoring powers that further undermined find out that his motorbike and several Rascal, 55, and son Jalal, 25. On and Information Center (DSWD- civilian processes. It gave way to the household items were missing. May 23, 2017, Idris and Jalal were DROMIC), the situation in Marawi intensification of rights violations not Alongside the unprecedented on their way to evacuate their family – as a combination of the result of only in Marawi but in other parts of damage of properties, aerial when the two decided to rush back to the firefight and AFP airstrikes – had Mindanao as well. Martial rule was bombardments also claimed the lives their house in an attempt to salvage already displaced at least 400,440 administered by no less than DND of residents. Mainstream media put more belongings. Jalal’s sister, during individuals or 84,8555 families. Chief Lorenzana and implemented by Military operations AFP chief Eduardo Ano -- a virulent which spilled over mix of US-loyal, high-ranking military to nearby provinces men with roots deeply embedded in Counterclockwise from top: Aftermath had also caused the of the aerial bombing in Marawi City fascism, militarism, and ruthless, (c) ABS-CBN; Protest action vs martial evacuation of 895 callous aggression. law in Mindanao; An evacuation individuals in Saguiran, What sprung from these center in Iligan City, June 2017. and a total of 383,420 Like walking on hot coals, the unchanging subservient, neocolonial questionable decisions were a evacuees in the whole peace negotiation between the GRP relationship between the Philippine humanitarian crisis and an intensified of Lanao del Norte, and the NDFP remains in a precarious government and US rule. This has fighting with no immediate end in as documented in the situation, predisposed to the interests atrophied any possibility for any truly sight. The latter is rendered worse DSWD’s end-May report. of warmongers and US lackeys in progressive change and for pro-people by the US government’s direct The bombings in Marawi Duterte’s Cabinet. The likes of Defense policies to materialize. involvement. Unsurprisingly, cheers and nearby areas had Secretary , AFP In part, the Chief Executive’s of support were heard from militarists also resulted in damages Chief Eduardo Ano, and National complicity is evidenced by his perilous in Duterte’s cabinet, unfaltering in on civilian structures Security Adviser positioning of military men - both their resolve to ignore the thousands and the destruction of have made unscrupulous maneuvers active and retired - in the bureaucracy. who scream to end the invasion of people’s homes. to keep the situation of negotiations He replaced who strongly Mindanao’s skies. volatile. For instance, they have came out against large-scale mining, The declaration of martial undermined the discussion on with retired AFP chief law in Mindanao paved the way gainful socio-economic reforms while as the head of the Department of for a humanitarian crisis. With peddling the misleading correlation Environment and Natural Resources, indiscriminate aerial strikes which between just and lasting peace and a appointed ex-AFP chief had pulverized Marawi to the ground bilateral ceasefire agreement -- that as National Irrigation Administration and displaced thousands, Duterte’s one equals the other. Moreover, they head and guaranteed the Department militarist approach was again proven have deliberately blocked the release of of Interior and Local Government ineffective in resolving the conflict. all political prisoners, as promised by Secretary position to current AFP A national interfaith and Duterte. chief Eduardo Año when he retires in humanitarian mission (NIHM) The peace talks now finds itself in October 2017. Peppering his cabinet composed of different support a gridlock, with its already substantial with no less than ex-AFP chiefs and groups and progressive organizations gains derailed by the continuation and even joking that his military junta is documented violations in evacuation implementation of more repressive now complete, Duterte has rendered centers. Among the NIHM team’s and anti-people policies. The GRP’s these civilian institutions inclined to findings was the overwhelming scuttling of the 5th round of the perverted use for counterinsurgency sentiment of the Moro people against formal peace talks in May 2017 and programs. He has also set the stage for martial law, to which the residents Duterte’s threats to arrest NDFP peace his own undoing. attributed the destruction of their consultants aggravated the situation. Martial law in Mindanao. On city. The gravity of the wreckage in Peace spoilers and saboteurs have May 23, 2017, the Maute group – a Marawi could not be fully assessed, tilted the balance of Duterte’s Cabinet local group which the AFP alleged to but the destruction and looting of in their favor, ensuring the non-release having allegiance to ISIS – clashed properties were rampant. Residents of political prisoners, the continued with elements of the Philippine witnessed their appliances, jewelry implementation of the same US-driven military. The military claimed they and other personal effects being counterinsurgency program, and the were serving a warrant for Isnilon looted by combat troops and carried in 4 KARAPATAN Monitor 5 5 April-June 2017 5

DETERIORATING HUMAN have spiralled into an ineffective Aquino regimes to the Duterte rule, RIGHTS SITUATION campaign which has merely inflamed contrary to his avowals that “change is police brutality and exacerbated coming.” The creeping fascism of the Even before the declaration impunity. The war-on-drugs campaign Duterte administration is taking shape of martial law in Mindanao, the remains gravely deficient -- lacking a towards the direction of repression, months of April and May 2017 saw rehabilitative component, and sorely violence and impunity, and continued the continued effects of the AFP’s negligent of the socio-economic roots subservience to imperialist demands. implementation of its all-out-war of illegal drug use and trade. This is the chilling backdrop for this against the people. Repression was Furthermore, criticism of administration’s next five years, unless relentlessly wielded against farmers, Duterte’s militarist approach has Duterte gets back to his promised indigenous villages, urban poor resulted in people’s organizations and ground to end the replication of a communities, and human rights human rights advocates receiving a defunct system that has proven, time defenders throughout the country. The barrage of verbal assault, threats, and and again, to be malevolently profit- deteriorating human rights situation even illegal arrests. serving and anti-people. that is becoming apparent a year into Legislating repression. Other Peasants suffer the most from the Duterte presidency, bears witness repressive policies are in the pipeline, the attacks of combat troops. to the same repressive and oppressive including the death penalty bill, the Through several Presidents, farmers socio-political system, intolerant of national ID system, the lowering remain among the most victimized resistance and genuine, fundamental of the minimum age of criminal sector of counterinsurgency change. responsibility, and the reinstating programs. Members of local peasant The war on drugs gone awry. of mandatory military training for organizations are targeted and Duterte has also obstinately stuck high school and college students. deliberately discouraged from with his war on drugs campaign These dangerous doses of repression, pursuing their demands, primary despite international and national which seek legitimacy by seeping into of which are free land distribution condemnation. Duterte’s war on Congress and being enacted into laws, to those who work the land, and an drugs, concretized through Oplan have been prioritized. While efforts at end to the militarization of their Tokhang and Oplan Double Barrel, the House of Representatives (HOR) communities. This is evidenced by 66 has claimed thousands of lives, to lower the minimum age of criminal peasants violated under the auspices mostly from urban poor communities. responsibility has been temporarily of Oplan Bayanihan and Oplan Davao del Norte, on April 6, 2017. The The evacuees stayed at the Dagohoy farmers being mistaken for NPA The President’s blatant assurances discarded, the death penalty bill has Kapayapaan in Duterte’s first year. perpetrators forced their way into High School, two kilometers from members. According to witnesses, provided the impetus and impunity already been passed in the Lower Among such cases is that of house at around 8pm, and mercilessly their community. soldiers beat up Cuyos, who was then that the police force needed to commit House after it was railroaded by the 60-year-old farmer Elias Pureza. shot him in front of his family. He was A Quick Response Team (QRT) on his way to his relatives in Brgy. San flagrant violations with no certainty House majority. He was gunned down by suspected a member of the Farmers Association dispatched by Gabriela-Bohol on Antonio when accosted by the military. of punishment. This deliberate By and large, repressive and elements of the 60th Infantry in San Isidro (FASI) - an affiliate of April 13 reported that the residents’ He was shot in his stomach. Rosales, disregard for the right to due process oppressive policies that inflict State Battalion- (IBPA) the Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas testimonies corroborated the village meanwhile, was in Brgy. San Antonio and the military’s and police’s use of terror have continued from the Gloria while inside his house in Purok (KMP). chief’s statement that a couple, when soldiers fired at him and a child. torture, illegal arrest and detention Macapagal-Arroyo and Noynoy Palmera, Brgy. Mamangan, San Isidro, Political Killings Constancio and Crisanta Petalco He was instantly killed, while the child who were killed in the clash, were survived. civilians. The Petalcos were both Tagalog, on the other hand, was In Bohol. The AFP, meanwhile, elderly and took longer to evacuate. with his horse in a river in Sitio Laray, is perfecting its role as purveyor of Worse, Crisanta also suffered from a Brgy. San Carlos, when soldiers saw fake news. It twists narratives to disability which made it difficult for him and tied him up using the rope conveniently fit its own version of her to walk, prolonging the process of used to secure the horse. The soldiers the story. For instance, on April 11, their evacuation. The incident gave rise then took Tagalog with them. His 2017, at around 5:00 am, a firefight to residents’ sentiments of uncertainty worried wife Myrna started looking broke out between soldiers of the of their situation and lamentation of for him after she was made aware by 47th IBPA and alleged elements of being treated as collateral damage, neighbors that her husband was in the the Group (ASG) in Sitio easily made as scapegoats to justify custody of military men. On April 18, Ylaya, Brgy. Napo, Inabanga, Bohol. rights violations. Tagalog’s body was found in another The fighting lasted for more than 24 In the Bicol Region. The sitio. His remains exhibited signs of hours where, according to government bloodbath continued with the killing torture: his right cheek was gone, his reports, six (6) ASG members and four of four more farmers and two minors eyes were bloodied, there were wounds (4) State forces were killed. However, in Bicol. On April 15, Masbate farmers and bruises on his naked body where the barangay captain of Brgy. Napo, Jerry Cuyos, 20, Josel Rosales, he must have been tied with a rope or Columbus Estoce, later claimed that 30, and Rodolfo Tagalog Jr., 26, hit with a blunt object. There were also two of the six reported ASG so-called were killed in separate encounters gunshot wounds on his body. casualties were actually civilians. by soldiers from the 2nd IBPA in In another incident on April 20, Apart from the clashes, the military Brgy. San Carlos, Milagros town. at around 5:30 am, at least 42 soldiers Clockwise from top: Norhamin Taligapin (c) Kilab also dropped a total of 9 bombs in said Multimedia; Protest march at Morayta, ; The killings happened after a clash from the 3rd Scout Ranger unit and village, which prompted the forcible between the 2nd IBPA and the New 903rd Brigade of the Philippine Army, ‘Dodong’, a minor wounded during an aerial evacuation of at least 700 residents. bombing in President Roxas, North Cotabato. People’s Army (NPA), with the three fired at four houses of farmers in Sitio 6 KARAPATAN Monitor 7 7 April-June 2017 7

weaves tales to justify the after the June 16 demolition, Reynaldo Penology (BJMP) in Tuguegarao City belongings of Salinas were placed in Aerial strikes and forced killings. Peasants continue Guiyab was able to acquire a barangay by 4;00 pm. Soriano was slapped with separate police cars. Upon arriving at evacuation of communities in to be the victims of most permit for fencing the lot. The 36 cases of fabricated charges, while the police station at around 6:41pm, other areas political killings. They are displaced families were forced to build Cipriano was wrongfully charged with the other three were also handcuffed red-tagged and deliberately make-shift houses on the adjacent illegal possession of firearms and by the arresting officers who accused Violations of rights in targeted by state forces. pavement. explosives. them of being accomplices of a “high communities have worsened, this time On April 2, 46 families returned On May 11, 2017, at around 6:00 value target”. more brazen and without the excuses Illegal Arrests and of peace and development teams Political Prisoners to the lot after 10 months, in an pm, Bishop Carlo Morales of the Morales’ legal counsel arrived attempt to reclaim the area. On April Iglesia Filipino Independiente (IFI), at the station but he was not allowed commonly employed by the military in 3, at around 4:00 pm, elements of his wife and public school teacher Ma. by the police to converse with his the past. Emboldened by the all-out- Demolition and the SWAT and PNP, headed by QCPD Teofilina Morales, driver Isadome clientele. The so-called confiscated war declaration of Duterte, the AFP arrest of the urban station commander Col. Danilo Dalid, and Rommel Salinas, items from the four persons were has abandoned its usual excuses, and poor. As the people wage Mendoza, arrived at Apollo street who identified himself as a peace inventoried by the police, but without is now blatantly proceeding with their campaigns for their rights and started arresting the residents. consultant of the NDFP, were accosted the presence of any of the four. An attacks against communities with no which are systematically Col. Mendoza announced that they in a checkpoint of the 102nd Infantry explosive was taken from one sack pretext of its real objective, that of abused by a profit-driven counterinsurgency operations. were acting on a complaint filed by Battalion-Philippine Army in Gango, to the surprise of the four, who economic system, the State In Samar. On April 4-7, 2017, Reynaldo Guiyab’s wife. No warrant of Ozamiz City. The military told them promptly denied possession of said and its instruments have 2,357 residents from 13 interior arrest was shown to the residents, 41 that they were riding with a “high explosive and firearms. The four fashioned a response of barangays of Calbiga, Samar of whom ironically were charged with profile person” and were shown were immediately brought inside the threats and intimidation, evacuated to the town’s gymnasium harassment. They were released from warrants of arrest. Salinas, the person detention cell. usually employing laws due to the ongoing militarization detention, but court proceedings are referred to, then showed his ID as an In the late afternoon of the to further undermine the of their communities. Elements of currently ongoing. The entire ordeal NDFP consultant and as a protected following day, May 12, inquest legitimate calls of the poor. the 87th IBPA and the 8th Infantry is a testament of the LGUs’ loyalty to person under the Joint Agreement proceedings were conducted by the This has been specifically Division (ID) continued their stay business ventures and privatization on Safety and Immunity Guarantees prosecutor, charging Salinas and true with the arrest of 58 and operations in the hinterlands of schemes from which local officials (JASIG). Salinas said that the purpose Bishop Morales with trumped-up residents -- 17 of them Calbiga and Pinabacdao which started personally benefit. This is contrary of his travel was to campaign for the cases of illegal possession of firearms minors and 8 are elderly in 2016. The troops occupied several of to the expectation that LGUs should 5th round of the formal talks between and explosives (Republic Act 9516). -- in Apollo Compound, the villages’ recreation halls, barangay decisively side and provide services to GRP and NDFP. Despite this, he was Ma. Teofilina Morales and Isadome Tandang Sora, Quezon centers, and other civilian structures. Bishop Carlo Morales handcuffed the poor as obligated by their mandate. still handcuffed and brought to the Dalid were released, while Bishop City on April 3, 2017. The Counterinsurgency activities by at the Ozamis City Police Station. Illegal arrests and trumped- police station together with Bishop Morales and Salinas remained under (c) IFI-Ozamis Apollo residents were so-called peace and development up charges. In the countryside, and Mrs. Morales and Dalid. On their detention at the Ozamiz City Police arrested after rightfully teams persisted, and often involved political persecution also remains a way to the police station, personal Station. asserting their right to the harassment and intimidation of standing practice of State security disputed 3,000-square residents. forces. As the AFP continues to use the Lubugan, Barangay Panan-awan, meter area along Apollo Street, Brgy. filing of trumped-up cases to silence Kawayan, Masbate province. The Tandang Sora. human rights advocates and members 70-year-old Lolita Pepito and her The said area was home to 146 of progressive organizations, the spate grandchildren Rechely Luna, 12, urban poor households before they of arrests continue. and Reden Luna, 9, were instantly were violently demolished on June 16, On May 4, 2017, at around killed, while two others were wounded. 2016, just a few days before BS Aquino 6pm, peasant organizer David After the shooting, soldiers told the III stepped down as President. The Soriano and Jude Cipriano were other residents to drop to the ground residents faced two legal complaints illegally arrested at a checkpoint in and proceeded to kick them. By 1pm, by a certain Reynaldo Guiyab, one in Peñablanca, Cagayan. The two were soldiers took the bodies of Lolita 1999 and another in 2001. Guiyab’s brought to the local PNP station Pepito and her two grandchildren. claim was based on a Transfer of where they were interrogated. Rebecca Argawanon and her Certificate of Title (TCT) which was From 7:00 pm to past midnight, sons Daryl and Nonon; and Elvira already deemed cancelled in October the pair were subjected to repeated Doña and her children Allie and 1995. Both cases filed by Guiyab questions. During the questioning, Erwin Doña, were forcibly taken by were dismissed by the Metropolitan the commanding officer of 17th IBPA, the soldiers to the municipal office in Trial Court Branch in 2000 and a certain Col. Baylosis, was present Cawayan. There, the Argawanons and the Department of Justice in 2010, in the room, goading Soriano to Doñas were compelled to do menial respectively. “cooperate”. A quick reaction team work for the police. They were only The Apollo Neighborhood arrived at the police station around able to go home after three days when Association reported that Guiyab 2:00 am to ascertain the whereabouts officials of Brgy. Panan-awan fetched then sought the help of the Quezon and condition of both Soriano and them. City local government. The QC Cipriano. The police confirmed that The killings of Cuyos, Rosales, City Hall then declared the Apollo the two were in their custody, but it Tagalog, Pepito and her two community as a fire hazard to justify was only at around 7:00 am of May grandchildren are attestations of its demolition, despite the fact that Carmelita Atamosa, 67, was mercilessly 5 that the team was able to catch a the long-standing military tactic to there had been no reports of fire in the dragged from the picket line of striking glimpse of Soriano. They were brought workers of Shin Sun by Chief Senior attack civilians after an encounter area for more than 30 years. A week with the NPA, after which the AFP to the Bureau of Jail Management and Inspector Marvin Hugos. (c) Carl Anthony Olalo 8 KARAPATAN Monitor 9 9 April-June 2017 9

Victims of Extrajudicial Killing TABLE 2 & Enforced Disappearance under the Rodrigo Duterte Government BY REGION

Extrajudicial Enforced REGION Killing Disappearance Ilocos Victims of Violation of Civil and Political Rights TABLE 1 Cordillera Administrative Region under the 1st Year of the Aquino COMPARISON and Duterte Governments Cagayan Valley 1 Central Luzon 5 VIOLATIONS Aquino Duterte National Capital Region Political Prisoners Southern Tagalog 2 1 TABLE 4 Extrajudicial killing 69 68 as of June 30, 2017 Enforced disappearance 7 4 Bicol 7 Western Visayas 5 Torture 87 52 REGION OF TOTAL NO. OF ARRESTED UNDER WOMEN NDFP CONSULTANTS Central Visayas 2 DETENTION PPS DUTERTE Rape 3 -- Eastern Visayas Cordillera Frustrated extrajudicial killing 78 123 Administrative 12 0 1 5 Northern Mindanao 7 Region Illegal arrest without detention 162 842 Caraga 5 Cagayan Valley 9 0 0 2 Illegal arrest and detention 123 127 SoCSKSargen 5 2 Central Luzon 7 0 1 1 Illegal search and seizure 42 55 Western Mindanao National Capital 97 12 4 5 Physical assault and injury 59 126 Southern Mindanao 23 Region Forced eviction and demolition 1,025 114 ARMM 6 1 Southern Tagalog 22 2 0 2 Violation of domicile 513 216 TOTAL as of June68 30, 2017 4 Bicol 35 1 0 4 Western Visayas 8 1 0 2 Divestment of property 132 109 Women 13 1 Organized 42 2 Central Visayas 5 0 0 0 Destruction of property 552 3,477 Eastern Visayas 28 6 0 0 Forced evacuation 3,260 416,005 * As of June 30, 2017 Northern Mindanao 23 1 1 2 Threat/harassment/intimidation 9,150 42,894 Caraga 32 1 0 3 Endangerment of, Threat against Civilians SoCSKSargen 28 2 0 15 due to Indiscriminate Firing, Bombing, 1,227 357, 569 Victims of Extrajudicial Killing Artillery Fire, Landmines, etc TABLE 3 Western Mindanao 6 2 0 0 & Enforced Disappearance BY SECTOR Forced/fake surrender 27 76 under the Rodrigo Duterte Government Southern Mindanao 104 8 0 16 Forced labor/involuntary servitude 11 17 Extrajudicial Enforced TOTAL 416 36 7 57 SECTOR Killing Disappearance Use of civilians in police and/or military 298 65 operations as guides and/or shield Church 1 SICKLY 122 ELDERLY 35 ARRESTED MINOR 4 Use of schools, medical, religious Environmentalist 5 and other public places for military 10,597 26,666 Government Employee 3 1 purpose Indigenous People 21 2 Restriction or violent dispersal of mass 515 1,812 Minor 3 1 actions, public assemblies and gatherings Peasant 66 4 Human Rights worker 1 Worker 4 Moro 7 1 Transport 1

* As of June 30, 2017 10 KARAPATAN Monitor 11 11 April-June 2017 11

Earlier in March 2017, the 100 individuals evacuated to avoid The meeting ended with threats, as from military actions in Marawi, there 34, a farmer and resident of said his immediate death. Samling, on the harassment escalated, with soldiers undeserved retaliatory action from the residents were directly red-tagged and were also the killing and arrest of village. Mamansag was hit by shrapnel other hand, was wounded and brought calling for assemblies, asking people soldiers. When the residents returned warned that their houses will be fired members and leaders of progressive in his spine and his right leg was cut to a hospital. Lasib was on his way to raise their hands if they had to their communities, they found at. The next day, 47 residents decided organizations, and the targeting of off after being hit by a cannon ball. to visit his child confined at Dalapo been attending rallies. The military that their domestic animals were to leave their homes. They returned on civilians through the deceptive use of Two more Maguindanaoan residents of medical clinic to process his Philhealth also called for several assemblies, stolen, and their houses damaged and May 31 to find their houses ransacked buzzwords such as “security”. Brgy. Salata, Norhamin Taligapin, 25, benefits when the incident occurred. interviewing households and ransacked. and their belongings stolen. In the first week of martial and Dodong (not his real name), 14, In Davao Oriental. In a photographing their identification In Sultan Kudarat. On May OPLAN K APAYAPAAN law in Mindanao, military and were brought to the Amas Provincial separate incident on May 27, Ana papers/cards. Oftentimes, direct 10, 2017, following clashes between AND MARTIAL RULE IN police checkpoints were set up in Hospital after they were also hit by Marie Digaynon Aumada, 29, threats such as retaliation against the NPA and composite elements of MINDANAO Mindanao, in Tacloban City, and in shrapnel in the stomach and chest. was gunned down while in her house community members were done the Marine Battalion Landing Team 2 Metro Manila. In Eastern Mindanao In Brgy. Tuael, Pres. Roxas, North in Brgy. Lucod, Banganga, Davao whenever a military personnel (MLBT-2) and the Consunji company alone, the military has put up 17,494 Cotabato and Brgys. Tangkulan and Oriental. At around 6:00 pm, an In that daunting turn of events was injured or killed in military guards, the marines encamped in checkpoints and imposed curfews in Anggaan, Damulog, Bukidnon, 39th assailant wearing a bonnet entered on May 23, 2017, Duterte signed operations. This retaliatory reflex Dulangan Manobo communities in 129 cities and municipalities with a IBPA elements went on a firing spree her residence and shot her. Prior to Proclamation 216 which placed the of combat troops was the reason Tinagdanan and Pangyen in Brgy. total of 9,742 security and visibility attacking homes of residents with 50 the incident, on May 25, Digaynon entire Mindanao under martial law, why in April 4 and 5, when residents Hinalaan, and areas in Brgy. Nges and patrols monitoring public places and caliber machine guns. was called to the 67th IBPA Command subsequently suspending the privilege heard gunshots coming from the Brgy. Nalilidan, Kalamansig, Sultan infrastructures. Outside Marawi In Sultan Kudarat. On Headquarters by Lt. Col. Jake of the writ of habeas corpus. But more army encampment nearby, they Kudarat. This occupation of their and Mindanao, other regions felt the the same day, May 25, at least Obligado, purportedly to clear her than a month after the declaration of promptly evacuated worried about the communities forced over 1,000 Lumad repercussions of a deluded military thirty (30) Lumad, Moro, and name. Two days later, she was killed. martial law, no solution to the war in usual violent consequence to them. residents to evacuate to Sitio Blanga, institution that went on a rights Christian women who participated Digaynon is a Mandaya and an active Marawi seems to be in the offing. As Residents from Brgy. San Mauricio, Brgy. Nalilidan. violations rampage in keeping with in an Ecumenical Women’s Forum, member of Alyansa sa mga Mag-uuma expected and despite Malacanang’s Literon, Hubasan, Burong, and Still in Samar. In the Eastern the government’s counterinsurgency “Leadership Development and Capacity sa Sidlakang Davao (ALMASID). and the generals’ denial the action Canbagtic are still staying at the town Visayas region, 28 elements from the program Oplan Kapayapaan. Building for Gender and Ecological Also on May 26, the PNP office of proves to be a conducive breeding gymnasium. 43rd IBPA, led by 2nd Lt. Jermaine In North Cotabato and Justice”, were accosted and held for one Region 11 threatened to arrest leaders ground for Oplan Kapayapaan and the In Bukidnon. On May 1, 2017, at Gentiles, arrived in Brgy. Mahayag, Bukidnon. On May 25, 2017, from hour and 30 minutes by the 6th Marine and organizers of rallies opposing AFP’s all-out-war against the people, around 7:00 am, an encounter ensued Matuguinao, Samar on May 23, 2017. 5:30 am to 10:00 pm, around 240 Landing Battalion in a checkpoint martial law. The AFP also released and the concomitant rights violations. between elements of the 60th IBPA After two days, the soldiers called for a elements of the 39th and 72nd IBPA in Brgy. Domulon, Sultan Kudarat. a statement stating the military’s The AFP and the Duterte and the NPA in Sitio Salumpikit, Brgy. community meeting to announce that conducted a series of aerial bombings Their leaders were interrogated, asked intent to exercise its right to censure administration could not sufficiently Bonacao, San Fernando, Bukidnon. their presence was aimed at protecting and fired at Moro communities in to produce identification cards, and information on the Marawi crisis from explain why it declared martial law The encounter lasted for around an the heavy equipment to be used sitios Pedtobawan, Campo, Apulan, questioned on their permit to travel. news reports and social media. in the whole of Mindanao without hour, after which the military stayed for road construction, as well as to and Centro Salat in Brgy. Salat, and in They were also asked if they were with In Compostela Valley. On May betraying their other disguised agenda one day in the community. A total of recruit members to the Citizen Armed sitio Libpas in Brgy. Tuael, President some women leaders who were named. 27, two farmer members of the Unyon -- counterinsurgency operations 18 families numbering to at least Force Geographical Unit (CAFGU). Roxas, North Cotabato. Aerial strikes The leaders were forbidden to take sa mga Mag-uuma nga Nakigbisog against the CPP-NPA-NDFP. Apart were also reported in the barangays down notes during said interrogation. (UMANA) and residents of Brgy. of Tangkulan, Anggaan, and Damulog A soldier took pictures of the rest of Poblacion, Maragusan, Compostela in Bukidnon. These areas are at least the women and they were told to write Valley, Nestor Quintano, 51, and 100 kilometers away from Marawi down their names on a sheet of paper. Remon Rodela, 25, were forcibly City. Many 105 howitzer cannons were Sexist remarks were also thrown at the taken by elements of the 66th IBPA. mounted at Brgy. Kisupaan, Pres. women. Their wives, witnesses to the incident, Roxas, North Cotabato. The incident In . Also on May 25, related that the soldiers barged into displaced more than 252 families or some 260 persons, mostly Moro their homes at the break of dawn more than 1,000 individuals. youth, from Barangays 76-A and 23 and mauled their husbands – kicked According to the residents, in Davao City were rounded up by the them to the ground, stepped on their military choppers were spotted Davao City Police Office, for failure faces and tied their hands. The two hovering in their communities at to show proof of identification. They were arrested on allegations of being around 10:00 am. Thereafter, at least were brought to the DCPO to undergo members of the NPA. Their wives six bombs were dropped. The military “verification process.” denied this, stating that Nestor was also strafed the villagers’ houses In Davao del Sur. In Matanao, a farmer while Remon was a small- from their MG20 helicopter and Davao del Sur, Daniol Lasib, 58, scale miner. The two were taken to then launched six 105 cannons at the a B’laan council member of Akma the 66th IBPA camp before they were community. At around 3:00 pm, four Aksasatu Matanao (Unity of Matanao), turned over to the Maragusan police more bombs were dropped, another was shot by five gunmen on board station. They were charged with illegal incident of strafing from the MG20 three motorcycles on May 26, 2017. possession of firearms and explosives, helicopter occurred, and an additional Lasid was with a companion, Lindo the latter added to make the case six 105 cannons were fired at the Samling. The two were about to cross non-bailable. communities. At around 7:00 pm, the bridge in Kasagaran, Colonsabac, On May 29, 2017, a peasant aerial strikes started all over again. Matanao, when they were shot at. couple Kidjol Marcelo Antay Sr. #StandWithMarawi candlelighting and protest action against Duterte’s The bombings, as confirmed by Witnesses identified elements of and Noeme Antay were illegally Martial Law Declaretion at Plaza Miranda, May 24, 2017. (c) Carlo Manalansan Abdillah Makalang, barangay captain the 73rd IBPA as the perpetrators. arrested by combined elements of Brgy. Salata, resulted in the death of Lasib sustained 11 gunshot wounds, of the 60th IBPA and the Bagani Maguindanaoan Abdullah Mamansag, majority in his head, which caused paramilitary group in Brgy. Andap, 12 KARAPATAN Monitor 13 13 April-June 2017 13

with farmers of Madaum Agarian Independence Day mobilization, Reform Beneficiaries (MARBAI). The en route to Mendiola Peace Arch. four were detained for around five (c) Carlo Manalansan hours, because the military thought that they were “suspicious-looking”. They were eventually released a few minutes before midnight. In Iloilo. On June 29, the PNP in Iloilo City released a list of names and photos of alleged NPA members who successfully raided a police detachment in Maasin, Iloilo, including two daughters of NDFP peace consultant Concha Araneta- Bocala. Mary Ilyich Bocala, 38, said she has been teaching in China and Pakistan in the last decade and has come home only once or twice a year for family visits. The PNP has put her and her sister’s lives at risk by maliciously implicating them in said raid and because they are children of peace consultants. The fascism of military power

Indeed, when fascists are given Laak, Compostela Valley. On the same the 46th IBPA in his house in Purok workers with formalin and arrested of 818 emancipation patents to 312 organizations. In the evening of more power, they know nothing else day, another couple, Otik Catalino Lit-ag, Sitio Biasong, Brgy. Napnapan, them. Reports from the workers farmers. Their campaign earned the June 26, farmers Gimmy Adlin, than to abuse it. Such abuses betray and Maricho Catalino, were also Pantukan, Compostela Valley. He was relayed that the soldiers invoked ire of the corporation, and the farmers Romar Ruales, Kagawad Junrex the mentality of soldiers emboldened illegally arrested in Brgy. Malinao, brought to the army detachment in martial law – the soldiers said that faced numerous harassment cases in Mission and Mendoy Tonlay by martial rule – that they are free Laak, Compostela Valley by the same said barangay and wrongly accused of they were not honoring the labor code court and before government agencies, were searching for rice field frogs in to trample on people’s rights and perpetrators. Both couples were being an “NPA organizer.” because of martial rule. The police also including those that attempt to cancel a nearby river in Brgy. LS Sarmiento, disregard lawful processes. Duterte’s active members of the Nagkahiusang Workers harassed and arrested 12 striking workers and their their emancipation patents. Laak, Compostela Valley when they martial law had further fostered Mag-uuma sa Laak (NAMULAK), a arrested. Last June 2 over 100 supporters. Vicente Boy Barrios, Lumad school fired upon. heard a series of gunfire that lasted military attacks against communities, local peasant organization in Laak, fully armed composite elements of the union leader; Eric Noble, also a On June 20, 2017, the Alamara for hours. This prompted them to rush state-declared “terrorists” and Compostela Valley. Witnesses attested the 66th IBPA, PNP, and company member of the union; and Pio Salar, paramilitary group indiscriminately home. The next day, they were illegally members of progressive organizations. that the two couples were brought to guards brutally dispersed 12 striking a supporter and a union-member from fired at the building of Lumad school arrested by composite elements of the The continued implementation of the the 60th IBPA camp in Dona Andrea workers of the Shin Sun Tropical Freshmax banana plantation were Salugpongan Ta Tanu Igkanogon 60th IBPA and paramilitary personnel. US-driven counterinsurgency program, Asuncion, Davao del Norte. Fruits Inc. in Compostela Valley. among those arrested. Community Learning Center, Inc. while The four were brought to the Laak Oplan Kapayapaan, escalating into On May 31, 2017, at around 9:00 Workers, led by Shin Sun Workers In Batangas. At 5:00 pm on June 50 students and teachers were municipal police station where they martial law - both brutal anti-people pm, 30-year old farmer Jessie Cabeza, Union (SSWU), an affiliate of the 3, peasant leader Lito Casalla of inside. were charged with illegal possession policies made palatable by the State a member of the Hugpong sa Mag- National Federation Labor Union- Task Force Baha Talibayog (TFBT) In Nueva Vizcaya. Seven of explosives. Aldin, Ruales, Mission, through the blanket rhetoric of uuma sa Mabini (HUMABIN), was Kilusang Mayo Uno (NAFLU-KMU), in Calatagan, Batangas was gunned peasant leaders of the Alliance and Tonlay are active members of a “security” – have been proven to be a shot dead in front of his house by launched a strike in April 2017 over down by unnamed men on board of Farmers Association (ALFAS) local peasant organization which filed lethal combination. elements of the 46th IBPA. His body the illegal dismissal of 53 workers and a black Toyota Vios in front of his were taken by elements of the 3rd IBPA a petition against proposed plans to Since Marcos, martial law had was found riddled with bullets. to demand the regularization of 287 house in Balayan, Batangas. Casalla in Dupax del Sur, Nueva Vizcaya on install a military detachment in their showed the AFP’s propensity to misuse Also on May 31, at 3:00 am, agency-hired workers of the manpower sustained at least fifteen gunshot June 25, 2017. The leaders were later community. its power and authority, especially in peasant leader Cesario dela Rosa, 38, agency ECQ Human Resources wounds. His killing occurred after he brought to the 3rd IBPA camp in Brgy. Human rights defenders cases where civilian processes had member of the Kahugpongan sa mga Corp. The Department of Labor and attended a campaign meeting of TFBT Bagumbayan, Dupax del Sur. The harassed. Most recently, on June 28, been deliberately reduced. Granting Mag-uuma sa Maco (KAMAO), was Employment (DOLE) in Davao had and the deployment of more than following day, Marcito Quizano, a around 7:00 pm, progressive leaders the military absolute and unchecked illegally arrested by members of the already ruled in favor of the workers 13 truckloads of soldiers in the first peasant leader of SAMANA (Sangguir from KARAPATAN and Kilusang powers always foreshadowed a PNP and AFP at a checkpoint while he to be recognized as regular employees. district of Batangas. Dagiti Mannalon Nga Agkaykaysa), a Magbubukid ng Pilipinas grim rights situation marinated in was on his way from his house in Brgy. Some of the workers had been with the The struggle of Casalla and the peasant farmer organization in Nueva (KMP) were held by elements of impunity. For this version of martial Magangit, Maco, Compostela Valley to company for 17 years. Calatagan farmers started in 1995, Vizcaya, reported his harassment by the Philippine military’s Task Force law, the situation was not being helped Pantukan, where he was scheduled to However, Shin Sun Tropical Fruits when the former owner of lands elements of the 3rd IBPA. Said soldiers Davao in Lasang, Bunawan District, by Duterte’s pronouncements which work as a carpenter. Inc. questioned the DOLE decision in Brgys. Baha and Talibayog sold surrounded his house to intimidate Davao City. Lito Lao, Pedro Arnado, always had a bolstering effect on State Also on the same day, at 8:00 and filed a petition for injunction at a the farmers’ land to Asturias Inc., and discourage him from doing his and Jerry Alborme of KMP-SMR; and security forces to commit violations. am, small-scale miner Ramil dela regional trial court in Davao that ruled owned by Ramon Ang. This, despite work as a peasant leader. Honey Mae Suazo, secretary-general of Among the State tactics that have Cruz, member of HUMAWAC-KMP, in favor of the company. To put an Presidential Decree 27 in 1989 Trumped-up charges Karapatan-SMR, were accosted while irreversible effect on the course of was illegally arrested by elements of end to the strike, soldiers sprayed the distributing lands through issuance on members of farmers’ on their way home from a meeting conflict is the relentless use of bombs. 14 KARAPATAN Monitor 15 15 April-June 2017 15

This has fuelled the humanitarian Mindanao has been plagued with Tokhang, Oplan Double Barrel, and kind of development that is needed. policies, that of Oplan Kapayapaan, Yet the qualities and wrongs he once crisis that is worsening by the day. structural inequalities that have been Oplan Kapayapaan. Hence, people’s actions denouncing his war campaign on drugs, and his denounced in his predecessors are Inside the evacuation centers where amplified by historical injustices. This The Philippine UPR Watch, a martial law, extrajudicial killings and recent declaration of martial law gradually taking shape in his own sick and traumatized residents are has, in a general sense, contributed network of church-based, human other fascist attacks by the Duterte in Mindanao are instrumental in administration. temporarily staying, is also where the to the rise of extremist ideas and rights and other progressive administration continue to gain creating an emboldened State security It is, therefore, a continuing unspoken violence of hunger, neglect rogue groups. The series of decisions organizations, submitted alternative ground, while mass struggles are force sheltered in impunity. Even the challenge for Duterte to seriously and fearful displacement are found. that the Duterte administration and reports to the UNHRC and conducted being waged daily to demand free land economic framework adopted by his undertake pro-people policies and This type of violence against people his security cluster have undertaken mass actions to highlight the salient distribution and genuine agrarian administration is a disappointing socioeconomic reforms, which is being downplayed, with more than have incomparably damaged Marawi points that the GRP had conveniently reform, employment and living wages, duplicate of his predecessors’ heavy are already articulated in the 400,000 persons forced to flee their City and traumatized its residents, left out. It assailed both the US-Aquino job security, decent and accessible dependence on foreign aid and Comprehensive Agreement on homes and cropland and are living with nothing else to show but further regime and the current Duterte social services including housing investments. Socioeconomic Reforms (CASER) in miserable spaces. So long as the intensified fighting that has already government for failing to honor State and education, respect for national Duterte has even proven that agenda in the GRP-NDFP peace talks. blanket rhetoric of “terrorism” and spanned a month. obligations under UN instruments, patrimony and an independent foreign populism, charisma and personality He could move towards the bold “security” are used by the Duterte and for legitimizing a climate of policy. politics do nothing for genuine initiatives that he had started, instead government, the general public will MISLEADING AND impunity conducive to more rights change, as long as, the same repressive of governing with the old rules that remain ignorant of the dire situation of DECEITFUL GOVERNMENT violations. DARING TO EXPOSE AND policies that are long-entrenched in have maintained the status quo. It is the war’s refugees in Mindanao. NARRATIVES: CONFLATING The 10-person delegation of OPPOSE INJUSTICE AND this socio-economic system, remain. also a continuing challenge for Duterte In the midst of the Marawi RESISTANCE WITH the Philippine UPR Watch also DECEIT Instead, such a seductive combination to make good on his earlier promises crisis are questions left unanswered, TERRORISM underscored the lack of improvement perpetuates more State aggression to release political prisoners and work including whether or not the not only in the political arena, but Various Philippine Presidents that has given way to the continued on the gains already achieved in the declaration of martial law in the To obscure the growing repression in the economic sphere, as well. In maliciously used buzzwords such as curtailment of people’s rights. His peace talks. entire Mindanao is justified. The propped up by State policies, the terms of economic, social, and cultural “development” and “security” to justify militarist approach in the Marawi Duterte could immediately space for transparency and questions Duterte administration has chosen rights, the flawed neoliberal agenda State repression and terrorism. A year crisis disregards the historical neglect withdraw State policies such as regarding the conduct of the military, to practice the politics of denial. remains the dominant framework, into the Duterte presidency has proven and exploitation that the national Oplan Kapayapaan and lift martial and the series of decisions undertaken Exhausting a myriad of angles to which has systematically made social that it is no different in this regard, government had inflicted on the law which perpetrates violations by the government regarding the justify the curtailment of people’s services such as housing, health and as he demonstrates increasingly that region. and constricts any certainty of Marawi crisis have deliberately been civil and political rights, Duterte has education less and less accessible to he is unlikely to follow through on Duterte’s political capital is punishment for the violators. constricted, especially with the recent become a public relations expert – the poor majority. pronouncements of an independent largely owed to the general public’s Ultimately, he must address the Supreme Court decision declaring spitting out arguments that drug users Extrajudicial killings, both foreign policy and other campaign perception that he offers an alternative deteriorating human rights and Proclamation 216 as constitutional. are less than human, strutting with drug-related and political, continue promises. He has continued his anti- to the bankrupt and corrupt system. people’s rights situation in the The public has been kept in the public displays of apathy regarding to be an issue and its practice has set crime campaign which victimizes poor He appealed to the majority’s country, lest he becomes a tired, rusty dark about the real situation with national and international pressures, the tone for the kind of government communities that have lost their right sympathy because of his unassuming imitation of the same ensemble - with misinformation covered in a veil of manipulating old verbal assault Duterte is veering towards. Duterte’s to due process, as well as, other civil behavior, his political record, and exploitative neoliberal policies on the national security verbiage. Particularly and threats against progressive drug campaign largely ignored and political rights. His anti-people his progressive pronouncements. one hand, and fascism on the other. disconcerting is the appearance of US organizations and human rights the socioeconomic causes of troops whose emergence conveniently advocates who raise concern over the illegal drug use and trade, and his fit the myth of the great white rights issues in the country. counterinsurgency program is a mere father/saviour and all that. A year of The UNHRC Universal re-hash of the same US-directed independent policy pronouncements Periodic Review. On May 8, and anti-people counterinsurgency by Duterte went directly down 2017, representatives from the GRP program. It was in this context that the drain with the US giving his presented the government’s version Karapatan submitted 47 cases of government the latest weapons and of the human rights situation in extrajudicial killings in line with some other military assistance. Lest the country during the 3rd cycle Oplan Kapayapaan to the UN special the discourse become jumbled in the of the Universal Periodic Review rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary rhetoric of disinformation about the (UPR) of the United Nations Human or arbitrary executions, Agnes real face and strength of the enemy, as Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva, Callamard, on April 10, 2017. The well as, how the actual situation on the Switzerland. The UPR functions as cases were submitted with specific ground is pursued, the opportunistic a mechanism to review member- recommendations to withdraw the nature of the AFP and its known US- states’ fulfilment of obligations under government’s counterinsurgency loyal officers will always remain hazy international agreements. program and immediately investigate and veiled. Official government delegates, and prosecute perpetrators of said There is, therefore, a continuing headed by Senator Alan Peter killings. Rise Up, a faith-based challenge to expose the maneuvers of Cayetano, gave a misleading official network which documents drug the US and its lapdogs in the affairs report in an attempt to gloss over the related-killings, with the support of of state in the Philippines, as well continuing dismal rights situation Karapatan, is also set to file cases as, demanding accountability from in the country. Their country of EJK in the Philippine courts in the Duterte administration for the report presented to the UPR did line with Duterte’s war-on-drugs seemingly overkill operations in not reflect realities on the ground. campaign. Members of ten-person delegation of the Philippine Universal Periodic Review Marawi, and the continuing repressive It deliberately deflated the issue on The Filipino people were (UPR) Watch held a parallel action in Geneva, Switzerland on May 8, 2017. policies implemented all over the extra-judicial killings legitimized promised change, and yet the country. with State policies such as Oplan situation they endure is far from the Published by Karapatan Alliance for the Advancement of People’s Rights 2/F Erythrina Building, #1 Maaralin corner Matatag Streets, Brgy. Central 1100 Quezon City, Philippines Telefax: +632 4354146 | Email: [email protected] | Website: www. karapatan.org The reproduction and distribution of information contained in this publication are allowed as long as the sources are cited, and KARAPATAN is acknowledged as the source. Please furnish KARAPATAN copies of the final work where the quotation or citation appears.