Press Statement of Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap (KADAMAY Tacloban Chapter) on the killing of Charlie Solayao
July 19, 2007

Two days right after the implementation of the Anti-Terror Law also known as the Human Security Act, what the militant organizations feared to occur as ATL takes effect, made its inimical sampling and cost the life of an Urban Poor mass leader.

On June 17, 2007 while the Supreme Court is on its last day conducting its Human Rights Summit, Charlie Solayao was shot right before the eyes of his wife, Marina Solayao. Charlie Solayao, 50 years old, is the Vice-chairperson of Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap (KADAMAY) Tacloban Chapter and Vice-Chairperson of Katig-uban Han Gudti nga Magtirinda ha Annex "B" (KAGUMA) [Federation of Small Vendors in Annex "B"], a local small market vendors organization. Solayao and his wife, both fish vendors, were waiting for a passenger multicab bound for Old Road, Sagkahan in Tacloban City, the City's fishport, to buy the fish they were going to sell in the public market of the same city, when two (2) unidentified men on board a single motorcycle with no plate coming from the direction of Abucay, Tacloban City – the driver wearing a ski mask and the passenger clad in long pants and a jacket – stopped in front of Charlie. While the passenger was getting off the motorcycle, he instantly shot Charlie in his body three (3) times. When the gunman was able to get off the motorcycle, he approached the victim who already fell to the ground and shot him again. The perpetrators left immediately to the direction of Anibong district in Tacloban City.

Charlie's wife, Marina, who was sitting a few meters away his husband, was not able to react immediately. She was only able to call help from their house when the perpetrators left. Some of their children and Charlie's brother was able to help her rush his husband to the Divine Word Hospital in the same city aboard a tricycle.

Around 11:20 am on the same day, Charlie died in the said hospital while in the Operating Room. He was able to sustain two (2) gun shot wounds in his right arm, another two (2) in his right sides, and two (2) in his back.

Solayao was also confronted by his cousin, Noel Solayao, a military personnel, who is believed to be a staff in the camp at Brgy. Palanog, Tacloban City, came to his house on June 12, 2007 at around 11:00 am before the victim was supposed to attend a mass mobilization in the downtown area of Tacloban City. Noel told the victim that if he does not lie low or stop his participation on his organization (KADAMAY & KAGUMA) which the military linked to the CPP-NPA, he will be killed. Noel also showed a list containing names of suspected NPA members, in which the victim's name is included and urged Charlie to sign a clearance purposefully to clear his name on the list, which the victim turned down. After that incident, Solayao told his wife that he is being hold under surveillance as based on his observation whenever they leave their home for the market.

Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap -Tacloban Chapter strongly condemns the assassination of Charlie Solayao and believes that this is a case of extra judicial killings among members of militant organizations. While Solayao's death is deemed to be perpetrated by the elements of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, KADAMAY strongly disproves the statement of P/Supt. Romulo Cleve Taboso over the radio claiming that the assassination is due to personal motive. Note that Taboso's statement regarding "personal motive" angle on Solayao's assasination was released prior to the investigation. Police interviewed Marina Solayao at around 10:30, an hour after Taboso's interview.

This is but a clear cover-up for the true perpetrators and irresponsibility on the part of the police, the incompetency in conducting investigations which is vital to solve this case. KADAMAY stands with the accusation to the AFP as perpetrators of this extra-judicial killing as part of their Oplan Bantay Laya, in its attempts to eradicate mass movements. KADAMAY has long been maliciously linked with the CPP-NPA to legitimize the killing of its members and leaders.