GMA leaves blood trail after Mindoro campaign sortie
by Karapatan Saturday February 14, 2004 at 01:19 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. #

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