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GMA leaves blood trail after Mindoro campaign sortie
by Karapatan
Saturday, Feb. 14, 2004 at 1:19 PM
karapatan@edsamail.com.ph
KARAPATAN vehemently condemns murder of yet two more rights activists
After President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo left Mindoro Island yesterday as
part of her campaign sortie, two human rights activists were killed by
elements belonging to the 204th Infantry Brigade under Col. Fernando L.
Mesa.
KARAPATAN, the Alliance for the Advancement of People’s Rights
vigorously denounced the killing of Naujan Vice Mayor Juvy Magsino, also
a human rights lawyer and Leima Fortu, acting secretary general of
KARAPATAN-Mindoro Oriental yesterday, February 13, 2004 in Barangay
Amuguis, Naujan, Mindoro Oriental.
“We are utterly outraged by their killing and the pattern of brazenness it
was done !” a fuming Marie Hilao-Enriquez, Secretary General of
KARAPATAN National who is presently in Oslo, Norway to attend as
observer in the peace negotiations between the government and the
National Democratic Front said. She also disclaimed radio reports that the
killing was primarily election related. “We believe that Vice Mayor Magsino
and Ms. Fortu were clear targets of the 204th Brigade because they were
affiliated with both KARAPATAN and Bayan Muna which have always been
openly villlified and attacked by these wild group of killers.”
Atty. Magsino had been consistently very vocal against militarization and
the rampant violations of human rights and international humanitarian law in
the province. She had been the object of vicious attacks and undisguised
threats from Col. Jovito Palparan Jr. and officers of the 204th Infantry
Brigade when the former was still with the latter. The notorious Palparan,
whose confirmation to general was secretly accomplished recently despite
widespread opposition - is still presently facing charges for serious abuses
filed by scores of victims before the government’s Commission on Human
Rights.
To date the human rights watchdog had documented 13 human rights
workers and 41 Bayan Muna members and officers killed in cold-blood
under the Macapagal-Arroyo regime.
Before she died, Vice Mayor Magsino had earlier told Irein Cuasay,
spokesperson of KARAPATAN-Southern Tagalog that she had recently
received two death threats claiming that she will no longer reach February
15, alive.
Atty. Juvy Magsino, 34 years old, of Brgy. Adrealuna, Naujan, Mindoro
Oriental was the partylist group, Bayan Muna’s endorsed candidate for
Vice Mayor of Naujan, who handily won in the 2001 local elections. At the
time of her death she was Chair of the Vice Mayors’ League in Mindoro
Oriental, a courageous and humble human rights lawyer who represented
KARAPATAN-Mindoro Oriental and Pamalakaya-Mindoro Oriental,
Chairperson of the Mindoro Oriental for Justice and Peace, an honorary
member of Gabriela and was Bayan Muna’s endorsed candidate for Mayor
of Naujan for the May 2004 elections.
Leima Fortu, 27 years old, of Brgy. Maidlang, Calapan City, Mindoro
Oriental was an elementary teacher who was also Acting Secretary General
of KARAPATAN-Mindoro Oriental, a member of Bayan Muna Calapan City
chapter and a volunteer staff of Mindoro for Justice and Peace.
“We condemn their brutal slaying and hold Col. Fernando L. Mesa
Commanding Officer of the 204th Infantry Brigade under the 2nd Infantry
Division of which Col. Jovito Palparan is Deputy Commander, and President
Arroyo responsible for these murders!” Enriquez declared.
KARAPATAN also decried the continuing militarization of the island
province. “Mindoro has found no peace with the continuing presence of
the 204th Infantry Brigade. They have lorded over the province with nine
battalions and we are sure there will be more as the campaigns intensify
for the May 2004 National Elections.”
“These hoodlums and roving band of murderers cum military men have no
right in claiming that they are here ‘To Protect and To Serve’. Once
again they have clearly shown that they will mow over those they deem
are against their fascist rule over the island of Mindoro.” Enriquez
continued
“With individuals and groups who are there to truly serve the marginalized
masses being attacked under the Macapagal-Arroyo regime, we can only
call on all the Filipinos to end these gruesome situation and end her rule
right now, she does not deserve our vote and should be booted out!”
Enriquez concluded. #
www.karapatan.org
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