Philippines
27.10.04
Urgent Interventions
Philippines: summary executions of Mr. Avelino Billiena and Mr. Clemente Calantrava
Case PHL 271004
Summary executions
The International Secretariat of OMCT requests your URGENT intervention in the following situation in the Philippines.
Brief Description of the Situation
The International Secretariat of OMCT has been informed by the Alliance for Advancement of People’s Rights (KARAPATAN), a member of the OMCT network, of the killing of Mr. Avelino Billiena and Mr. Clemente Calantrava (49) by members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines in the Laguna region between October 13th and October 15th 2004.
According to the information received, on October 13th 2004, an armed confrontation between New People’s Army (NPA) and the joint forces of SOLCOM, Air Force and 1st Infantry Battalion of the Armed Forces of the Philippines took place on the line separating the two provinces of Laguna and Quezon.
It is reported that on October 14th 2004, at about 10:00 in the morning, two gunshots were heard in this region and that two helicopters were seen roving around the area. On October 15th 2004, members of the Armed Forces displayed two dead bodies in the Plaza of Cavinte in Laguna, claiming that they belonged to the NPA. The bodies wore boots and bonnets and the mark NPA was visible on their faces. Many gunshot wounds covered the bodies from hips to feet. Clemente Calantrava’s body was torn apart by the bullets.
According to the information, the victim’s families held that they were not NPA members and that on the day of the incident they went to Barangay Caldong to hunt for treasure.
The International Secretariat of OMCT is gravely concerned by the killing of these two civilians at the hands of the Armed Forces members. OMCT recalls to the authorities in the Philippines that according to the standards of the customary international humanitarian law, civilians should not in any case be targeted in an internal armed conflict. OMCT calls on the authorities of the Philippines to carry out an immediate, impartial and effective investigation into these killings in order to identify those responsible, bring them to justice and guarantee that the families would be awarded adequate compensation.
Action requested
Please write to the authorities in Philippines urging them to:
i. order a thorough and impartial investigation into the circumstances of these killings, in order to identify those responsible, bring them to trial and apply the penal and/or administrative sanctions as provided by law;
ii. guarantee that adequate reparation is provided to the victims’ families;
iii. guarantee the respect of human rights and the fundamental freedoms throughout the country in accordance with national laws and international human rights standards.
Addresses:
Please also write to the embassies of the Philippines in your respective country.
Geneva, October 27th, 2004
Kindly inform us of any action undertaken quoting the code of this appeal in your reply.
Summary executions
The International Secretariat of OMCT requests your URGENT intervention in the following situation in the Philippines.
Brief Description of the Situation
The International Secretariat of OMCT has been informed by the Alliance for Advancement of People’s Rights (KARAPATAN), a member of the OMCT network, of the killing of Mr. Avelino Billiena and Mr. Clemente Calantrava (49) by members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines in the Laguna region between October 13th and October 15th 2004.
According to the information received, on October 13th 2004, an armed confrontation between New People’s Army (NPA) and the joint forces of SOLCOM, Air Force and 1st Infantry Battalion of the Armed Forces of the Philippines took place on the line separating the two provinces of Laguna and Quezon.
It is reported that on October 14th 2004, at about 10:00 in the morning, two gunshots were heard in this region and that two helicopters were seen roving around the area. On October 15th 2004, members of the Armed Forces displayed two dead bodies in the Plaza of Cavinte in Laguna, claiming that they belonged to the NPA. The bodies wore boots and bonnets and the mark NPA was visible on their faces. Many gunshot wounds covered the bodies from hips to feet. Clemente Calantrava’s body was torn apart by the bullets.
According to the information, the victim’s families held that they were not NPA members and that on the day of the incident they went to Barangay Caldong to hunt for treasure.
The International Secretariat of OMCT is gravely concerned by the killing of these two civilians at the hands of the Armed Forces members. OMCT recalls to the authorities in the Philippines that according to the standards of the customary international humanitarian law, civilians should not in any case be targeted in an internal armed conflict. OMCT calls on the authorities of the Philippines to carry out an immediate, impartial and effective investigation into these killings in order to identify those responsible, bring them to justice and guarantee that the families would be awarded adequate compensation.
Action requested
Please write to the authorities in Philippines urging them to:
i. order a thorough and impartial investigation into the circumstances of these killings, in order to identify those responsible, bring them to trial and apply the penal and/or administrative sanctions as provided by law;
ii. guarantee that adequate reparation is provided to the victims’ families;
iii. guarantee the respect of human rights and the fundamental freedoms throughout the country in accordance with national laws and international human rights standards.
Addresses:
- H.E. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, President of the Republic of the Philippines,
Malacañang Palace, J.P. Laurel St., San Miguel, Manila, Philippines
Voice: (+632) 564 1451 to 80
Fax: (+632) 742 1641 / 929 3968
Email: corres@op.gov.ph / opnet@ops.gov.ph
- Hon. Teresita Deles, Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process,7F Agustin Building I, Emerald Avenue,Pasig City, Philippines
Voice: (+632) 636 0701 to 0766
Fax: (+632) 638 2216
- Hon. Avelino Cruz, Jr., Secretary , Department of National Defense, Camp Emilio, Aguinaldo, E. delos Santos Avenue, Quezon City, Philippines
Voice: (+632) 912 9281
Fax: (+632) 911 6213
- Hon. Purificacion Valera Quisumbing, Chairperson, Commission on Human Rights, SAAC Bldg., UP Complex, Commonwealth Avenue, Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines
Fax: (+632) 929 0102
Email: drpvq@chr.gov.ph
Please also write to the embassies of the Philippines in your respective country.
Geneva, October 27th, 2004
Kindly inform us of any action undertaken quoting the code of this appeal in your reply.