Philippines: Continuing executions and abductions show “business as usual” for state security forces

April 13, 2007
Reference: Jigs Clamor, Deputy Secretary General (Mobile No. 09228149751)

Karapatan-Panay Sec Gen ambushed, 2 other human rights defenders abducted
Continuing executions and abductions show “business as usual” for state security forces

The Philippine human rights group Karapatan today condemned the frustrated killing of its Panay Island Secretary General Jose Ely “Leeboy” Garachico, 50 years old, and the abduction of two other human rights defenders who were with him in Iloilo.

The initial report gathered by Karapatan reveals that Garachico, along with Nilo Arado of Bayan -Panay and Luisa Posa Dominado of SELDA-Panay, were traveling in Oton, Iloilo last night at around 10PM when a van overtook their vehicle and shot Garachico in the neck. The assailants then forced Arado and Dominado out of the vehicle. They have not been located until now. Garachico is receiving medical attention at the Intensive Care Unit of a local hospital.

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