Request for immediate investigation into death of Mr. Vincente Paglinawan

The International Secretariat of the World Organisation Against Torture (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 Task Force Detainees of the Philippines (TFDP), a member of OMCT SOS-Torture network, about the killing of Mr. Vincente T. “Roger” Paglinawan, 51-year-old peasant leader residing in Sitio San Miguel, Malabog, Paquibato District, Davao City, on Mindanao island, on 22 November 2008.

According to the information received, on 22 November 2008, at 5:30pm, Mr. Vicente T. Paglinawan was talking to a colleague in a nearby Purok within the vicinity of the Poblacion Malabog when he was shot by an unidentified gunman. This latter was reportedly riding on a motorcycle driven by a man wearing a helmet. According to the information, the gunman alighted from the motorcycle and shot Mr. Vicente T. Paglinawan from about one meter, who reportedly died instantly. While a police outpost is located only three meters away from the scene, the police only allegedly intervened 15 minutes after some residents had reported the incident.

According to the same information, two weeks before, two individuals riding a motorcycle had asked on two occasions neighbours of Mr. Vincente T. Paglinawan about the whereabouts of the family.

Mr. Vincente T. Paglinawan was the Regional Vice President for Minadanao of Pambansang Kilusan ng mga Samahang Magsasaka (PAKISAMA) (National Federation of Peasant Organizations), a Section Chair of AKBAYAN partylist in Paquibato District, Davao City, a board member of Malabog Integrated Enterprises Development Cooperative, a member of Lupong Tagapamaya and a church lay leader.

The International Secretariat of OMCT is gravely concerned about the killing of Mr. Vicente T. Paglinawan, in particular with regard to a pattern of targeted attacks on political activists in the country. OMCT calls on the authorities to order a prompt, thorough and impartial investigation into the circumstances of these deaths, in order to identify those responsible, bring them to trial and apply the penal and/or administrative sanctions as provided by law.

Action requested

Please right to the authorities in the Philippines urging them to:

1. Order a prompt, thorough and impartial investigation into the circumstances of the killing of Mr. Vicente T. Paglinawan in order to identify those responsible, bring them to trial and apply the penal and/or administrative sanctions as provided by law;
2. Guarantee that adequate reparation is granted to the victims’ family;
3. Guarantee the respect of human rights and the fundamental freedoms throughout the country in accordance with national laws and international human rights standards.

Addresses

• Ms. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, President, Malacanang Palace, JP Laurel St., San Miguel, Manila ; PHILIPPINES, Fax: +63 2 736 1010, Email: opnet@ops.gov.ph
• The National Defense Secretary Rm. 301 DND Bldg. Camp Aguinaldo, EDSA, 1110 Quezon City ; Philippines, E-mail: snd@dnd.gov.ph/osnd@philonline.com, Fax: +63 2724 8763
• PNP Chief Jacinto Cesar, City Police Chief, PNP HQ, Tagbilaran City
• Gen. Hermogenes Esperon, Jr, Armed Forces Chief of Staff, AFP GHQ, Camp General Emilio Aguinaldo, Edsa, Quezon City
• Gen. Oscar Calderon, PNP Chief, Camp Crame, Edsa, Quezon City, Fax No. 063 2 724 8763, Tel: +63 2911 6213
• Hon. Laila Delima, Commissioner, Commission on Human Rights, SAAC Building, Commonwealth Avenue, UP Complex, Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines, Fax: +63 2 929 0102, Email: atty_delima@yahoo.com.ph
• Bienvinido C. Blancaflor, Director, Fact-finding Investigation, Corruption, Prevention and Public Assistance Bureau, Office of the Deputy Ombudsman for the Military and Other Law Enforcement Offices, 3rd Flr. Ombudsman Bldg, Agham Rd Diliman (1104) Quezon City Tel. +632 926 9032
• Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace Process (OPAPP), Hon. Jesus Dureza, 10th Flr, Agustin 1 Bldg, Emerald Avenue, Ortigas Center
• Permanent Mission of the Philippines to the United Nations in Geneva, 47 Avenue Blanc, 1202 Geneva, Switzerland, Fax: +41 22 716 19 32, Email: mission.philippines@ties.itu.int
• Embassy of the Philippines in Brussels, 297 Avenue Moliere, 1050 Brussels, Belgium, Tel: +32 2 340 33 77 / 2 340 33 78, Fax: +32 2 345 64 25.

Please also write to the embassies of the Philippines in your respective country.

Geneva, 17 December 2008

Kindly inform us of any action undertaken quoting the code of this appeal in your reply.