The Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders, a joint programme of the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT) and the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH), requests your urgent intervention in the following situation in Philippines.
Description of the information:
According to the information received, on February 15, 2014 at around 5:15pm, Mr. Sixto V. Bagasala Jr. was shot dead by two men, who were identified by witnesses as Reynaldo Suela alias ‘Ipot’ and one Allan, in a flea market located in a crowded informal settlement between Barangay Catmon and Barangay Tonsuya, Malabon City, north of Manila. Mr. Bagasala was on his way home from a meeting held with leaders of informal settlers’ associations in Barangay Tonsuya.
Mr. Bagasala suffered gunshot wounds on his right leg, shoulder, chest and head. He then tried to get away from his attackers but the assassins pursued him and fired more shots. When they stopped, witnesses heard one of the men saying, “there will be more after you”. Mr. Bagasala succumbed from his injuries shortly after.
Before the incident, witnesses reportedly noticed two men who they identified as “Jasper” and “Babyface” roaming around the vicinity apparently waiting for someone. Moments later Jasper and Babyface vanished when Mr. Bagasala appeared at the scene. At that time they saw the two other men Reynaldo Suela and Allan.
According to the information received, Mr. Bagasala had received numerous death threats in the past in relation to his campaigns for informal settlers’ housing rights.
Mr. Bagasala and members of local organizations were at the forefront of a campaign to promote the construction of medium-rise buildings to be financed through the High Density Housing (HDH) Program of the Social Housing Finance Corporation. The project is part of the 50-billion Peso (around 82-million Euro) shelter fund of the national government for informal settlers living along waterways and other “danger zones”. Mr. Bagasala believed that the program could disrupt the interests of others who profit from informal settlers and from the anomalous implementation of several low-income housing projects.
The Observatory firmly condemns the extra-judicial killing of Mr. Sixto V. Bagasala Jr. and urges the Philippine authorities to conduct an immediate, thorough, effective and impartial investigation in order to identify all those responsible, bring them before an independent and impartial tribunal and apply the sanctions provided by the law.
Action requested:
Please write to the authorities in Philippines, urging them to:
i. Guarantee in all circumstances the physical and psychological integrity of all human rights defenders in the Philippines;
ii. Order an immediate, thorough, transparent, effective and impartial investigation into the murder of Mr. Sixto V. Bagasala in order to identify all those responsible, bring them before an independent tribunal, and apply them the sanctions provided by the law;
iii. Provide adequate reparation and compensation to Mr. Sexto V. Bagasala’s relatives;
iv. Put an end to any kind of harassment against all human rights defenders in the Philippines and ensure in all circumstances that they are able to carry out their legitimate activities without any hindrance and fear of reprisals;
v. Conform with the provisions of the UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders, adopted by the General Assembly of the United Nations on December 9, 1998, especially regarding the following Articles:
– Article 1: everyone has the right, individually and in association with others, to promote and to strive for the protection and realisation of human rights and fundamental freedoms at the national and international levels;
– Article 12.2: the State shall take all necessary measures to ensure the protection by the competent authorities of everyone, individually and in association with others, against any violence, threats, retaliation, de facto or de jure adverse discrimination, pressure or any other arbitrary action as a consequence of his or her legitimate exercise of his or her rights [...];
vi. Ensure in all circumstances the respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms in accordance with international human rights standards and international instruments ratified by Philippines.
Addresses:
· Hon. Benigno Simeon Aquino III, President, Republic of the Philippines, Malacanang Palace, JP Laurel Street, San Miguel, Manila 1005, Philippines; Fax: +63 2 736 1010; E-mail: corres@op.gov.ph / opnet@ops.gov.ph
· Vice President Jejomar C. Binay, Chairperson Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC), BDO Plaza, 8737 Paseo De Roxas St, Makati City, Philippines. Fax: +63 2 811 4158 Email: info@hudcc.gov.ph
· Atty. Chito M. Cruz, General Manager National Housing Authority (NHA), Elliptical Road, Diliman, 1100, Quezon City. Fax: +63 2 921 2530
· Chairperson Loretta Ann P. Rosales, Commission on Human Rights (CHR), SAAC Bldg., Commonwealth Avenue, U.P. Complex, Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines; Fax: +63 2929 0102; E-mail: rosales.chr@gmail.com
· Police Director General Alan LA Madrid Purisima, Chief, Philippine National Police, Camp General Rafael Crame, Quezon City, Philippines; Fax: (+63) 2 724 8763/ (+63) 2 723 0401; E-mail: feedback@pnp.gov.ph
· H.E. Ms. Cecilia B. Rebong, Ambassador, Permanent Mission of Philippines to the United Nations. 47, Avenue Blanc, 1202 Geneva 19. Switzerland. Fax: (+41) (0) 22 716 19 32. E-mail: geneva.pm@dfa.gov.ph
Please also write to the diplomatic missions or embassies of Philippines in your respective country.
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Geneva-Paris, February 21, 2014
Kindly inform us of any action undertaken quoting the code of this appeal in your reply.
The Observatory, an OMCT and FIDH venture, is dedicated to the protection of human rights defenders and aims to offer them concrete support in their time of need.
To contact the Observatory, call the emergency line:
• E-mail: Appeals@fidh-omct.org
• Tel and fax OMCT +41 22 809 49 39 / +41 22 809 49 29
• Tel and fax FIDH (+33) (0) 1 43 55 25 18 / (+33) 1 43 55 18 80