Violation of Civil and Political Rights under the administration of President Benigno Aquino III from July 2010 to March 2016. (Source: Karapatan)
DAVAO CITY – The human rights group, Karapatan, said that political killings and illegal arrests have continued within the remaining weeks before the end of the term of President Benigno Aquino III.
Karapatan said that as of March this year, there are 318 victims of extrajudicial killings, of which 89 are members of indigenous tribes, 152 from Mindanao and 64 from Bicol region.
From July 2010 to March 2016, Karapatan has recorded a total of 519,177 number of victims under the administration of President Aquino.
Karapatan Secretary General Cristina Palabay said, “the administration continues to reach for its targets on rights violations through Oplan Bayanihan, while desperately campaigning for Liberal Party bets to escape accountability.”
The latest on the list, based on the records of Karapatan, is the killing of Rolando Casiano, 32, who was shot dead on April 27 at Lower Sta. Cruz, Ragay, Camarines Sur, while attending the wake of a relative.
The group claims that Casiano was shot by soldiers near a river in the vicinity of the house where the wake was held. Witnesses accounts said that around 20 soldiers were seen around the house.
On April 24, the body of Datu Arnel Nayer was found dead along the mountain road in Sitio Kalatingga, barangay Camam-onan, Gigaquit, Surigao del Norte.
Karapatan said that Nayer was with six other tribal Mamanwas who went to their farm in Sitio Kalatingga to get some potatoes where at around 1:00 pm, “they saw 10 soldiers in full combat gear 20 meters away from them.”
“More soldiers came ten meters away and started to open fire,” Karapatan said.
The five others, Lino Mansumay, 25, Anthony Anrique, 55, Esmoter Anrique, 55, Ronel Anrique, 27, and Binbin Patusa 26, survived as they were able to run.
On April 26, Palabay said that “four farmers from Isabela were illegally arrested and detained for occupying their land being claimed by a landlord, Manuel Tio.”
“During the land occupation of the farmers in Barangay Mambabanga, Luna, Isabela, Tio’s goons and the police assaulted the farmers trying to disperse them. Many of the victims were minors,” Karapatan claimed.
The next day, farmers Marlon Matusalem, Rogelio Gameng, Dennis Gameng and Renato Gameng were released from detention. but are facing charges of trespassing, it added.
“Killings, illegal arrest and detention, among other human rights violations, is how Aquino’s Daang Matuwid will be remembered. A blood-tainted legacy which will be continued by Mar Roxas if he wins the election,” Palabay said.
Palabay said, “only the few rich who benefit from the Liberal Party are the ones who wish for six more years of this crooked path.”(davaotoday.com)
