Condemnation letter on the
brutal assassination of Dr. Rodrigo O. Catayong of KATUNGOD-ES from
the Secretary-General
November 5, 2006
We, in the regional council
of the human rights alliance KATUNGOD-Sinirangan Bisayas condemn in
the strongest possible terms the assassination of Dr. Rodrigo O.
Catayong, PhD., chairperson of the human rights group KATUNGOD-Eastern
Samar and professor at the Eastern Samar State University (ESSU) just
this morning in front of the Catholic Church in the town of MacArthur
of Eastern Samar province while attending the morning mass.
According to reports from
our counterpart in Eastern Samar, he sustained seven (7) gunshot
wounds in the head.
Dr. Catayong is a known
peace-loving citizen, an advocate of human rights and civil liberties
in the province of Eastern Samar. He served as KATUNGOD-ES chairperson
for several years now since his election to the post in 2001.
He was among the 31 men and
women who were listed as liquidation targets of the Samar Leyte
Anti-Communist Movement (SLACM). Such list was divulged by Agustin
Docena, a member of the Regional Development Council (RDC) at the
Tacloban Convention Hall, Kanhuraw Hill, Tacloban City last September
21, 2006 during the visit of Secretary Saludo. Agustin Docena is the
public sector representative of the RDC. It can be recalled that
letter-threats were given to progressive group members by SLACM in the
past.
The “liquidation list”
includes the name of Agustin Docena himself (a member of the Eastern
Samar Coalition of NGOs and POs). Others listed were the mayor of
Borongan, one public grade school teacher, three (3) professors from
the Eastern Samar State University including Dr. Catayong, several
leaders of the progressive party-lists, a policeman and a local media
man. They were listed as members of the leftist groups like Bayan Muna,
Anakpawis and Gabriela or as supporters of the CPP-NPA, or their
contacts who according to them “have done sins against the people (nahimo
nga sala kontra han katawhan)”. All those listed were from the
province of Eastern Samar.
The list was signed by a
certain Ka Hector of the SLACM. SLACM is believed to be connected to
the Civil Relations Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines
(CRS-AFP) because of their joint rallies and joint activities in
various areas in Leyte and Samar. Thus, culpability can be exacted
from the hierarchy of the 8th Infantry Division of the Philippine
Army, now headed by Major General Rodrigo Maclang who extends both
administrative and operational control over the 8th CRS-AFP Civil
Affairs Unit.
When the list made public,
the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) was quick in alleging the list
was a handiwork of the New People’s Army (NPA) in their article which
appear in the website of
www.samarnews.com entitled “Alleged NPA
liquidation list sows fear among those included” as if to cover up the
terror being sowed by this PA/AFP-backed liquidation group.
Thus, we are holding the 8th
ID PA responsible for this recent brutal killing as in the previous
incidents of summary executions.
We are calling on the all
peace-loving Filipinos, Samarnons and people of Eastern Visayas to
oppose and condemn this incident of killing and all other
state-sponsored human rights violations.
Dr. Catayong is the 90th
victim of political killing in Eastern Visayas since the assumption
into office as president of Mrs. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo since 2001.
This is a systematic phenomenon happening under the present
administration.
We enjoin the Commission on
Human Rights (CHR) to make a thorough investigation on this incident
and all the 89 other victims of extrajudicial killings in region. The
CHR should extend help to the victims that they found justice amidst
the climate of injustice and terrorism perpetrated by the soldiers of
the AFP and the Arroyo regime.
JUSTICE FOR PROF. RODRIGO
CATAYONG!
JUSTICE FOR ALL THE VICTIMS
OF HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS!
STOP THE KILLINGS IN EASTERN
VISAYAS AND IN THE PHILIPINES NOW!
Yours
truly,
In defense of the rights of
the people,
ALEX GARCIA LAGUNZAD
KATUNGOD-Sinirangan Bisayas
Secretary-General
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Eastern Samar rights activist killed
