(PHILIPPINES) Partido Manggagawa (Workers’ Party) Organizer Extra-judicially Killed Dear friends, Task Force Detainees of the Philippines (TFDP) writes to inform you about the extra-judicial killing of Rolando Panggo who was an organizer of Partido Manggagawa (PM), an organization who helped Hacienda Salud Farm Workers Association (HASAFAWA) in their petition for Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) coverage. If you wish to make any inquiries, please contact the Research, Documentation and Information Program of TFDP at: 45 St. Mary Street, Cubao, Quezon City, Philippines 1109; Email: tfdp.urgentappeals@gmail and tfdp.1974@gmail; or call: +632 4378054. CASE DETAILS: A Partido Manggagawa (PM) organizer was shot to death by unidentified gun men on November 29, 2014 at around 9:00 p.m. at the crossing of Hacienda Garrason in Barangay San Jose, Binalbagan, Negros Occidental. The victim was identified as Rolando Panggo, 47 years old, married, and a resident of Barangay Payao, Binalbagan, Negros Occidental. On November 29, 2014 at around 9:00 p.m., the Partido Manggagawa (PM) had a meeting with farm worker members in preparation for the Bonifacio Day activities in Binalbagan, Negros Occidental. According to Nemsie, Panggo’s wife, at around 9:00 p.m., after the meeting, her husband and his cousin, Rolly Herollo decided to go home aboard Herollo’s Honda XRM single motorcycle with plate number 2805 QT. Upon arriving at the crossing of Hacienda Garrason, Barangay San Jose, Binalbagan, Negros Occidental, an unidentified automobile loaded with five (5) unidentified men overtook them and blocked their way. Two (2) unidentified armed men disembarked from the car and immediately accosted them. Panggo was dragged away a few distance and shot to death. His cousin was ordered to drop to the ground and his head was pushed by the feet of the unidentified armed men. According to the victim’s wife, her husband sustained eight gunshot wounds, one in the left side of his head, the others in his right shoulder and back. Nemsie added that Herollo heard the armed men say, “Kasabad sa imo, pati duta ginahilabtan mo pa.” (“You’re a nuisance, you’re intervening, even with the land.”) CASE BACKGROUND: In 1994, Manuel Lamata leased Hacienda Salud and became landholding up to the present. In June 2013, the workers of Hacienda Salud asked assistance from Partido Manggagawa (PM) for intervention in their petition for Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) coverage. The PM designated Panggo since he was assigned in Binalbagan & Isabilla areas. Since then, Panggo worked with the members of Hacienda Salud Farm Workers Association (HASAFAWA). Nemsie added that in the middle of November 2014, three (3) of Lamata’s men went to their house and offered them cash and farm slot for them to stop organizing Hacienda Salud. His husband strongly refused to accept the offer. REQUESTED ACTION: PLEASE SEND LETTERS TO THE CONCERNED GOVERNMENT AGENCIES TO BRING TO JUSTICE THE PERPETRATORS OF PANGGO’S KILLING AND ENSURE AND GUARANTEE THE SAFETY AND SECURITY OF THE VICTIM’S WIFE, ROLLY HEROLLO, AND ALL HACIENDA SALUD FARM WORKERS ASSOCIATION (HASAFAWA) OF BARANGAY SAN JOSE, BINALBAGAN, NEGROS OCCIDENTAL. Thank you. Ramiel C. Aballe Task Force Detainees of the Philippines-Visayas SAMPLE LETTER: Dear __________________, Greetings! This is to express my grave concern regarding the extra-judicial killing of Rolando Panggo, a Partido Manggagawa (PM) organizer of Barangay Payao, Binalbagan, Negros, Occidental. I have learned that on November 29, 2014, at around 9:00 p.m., Rolando Panggo was shot to death by two (2) unidentified gun men at the crossing of Hacienda Garrason, Barangay San Jose, Binalbagan, Negros Occidental. I have known that the witness (Rolly Herollo) clearly heard the two (2) unidentified gun men saying “kasabad sa imu pati duta ginahilabtan mo pa” (“you’re a nuisance, you’re intervening even with land”). The case may have stemmed from PM’s intervention, through Panggo, in assisting Hacienda Salud workers in their petition for CARP coverage and the refusal of Panggo to accept the offer of cash and a farm slot by Perfecto Gumban, one of Lamata’s men, in exchange for Panggo to stop organizing in Hacienda Salud. I am writing to ask for immediate action in favor of the victim and his relatives: 1. For the security and safety of the family especially his cousin Rolly Herollo who was the only witness during the incident. 2. For the immediate and impartial investigation of the extra-judicial killing of Rolando Panggo. 3. For the perpetrators be held accountable for Panggo’s killing. Thank you. Respectfully yours, _______________________ PLEASE SEND LETTERS: 1. His Excellency Benigno Simeon AquinoIII President, Republic of the Philippines Malacanang Palace JP Laurel Street, San Miguel, Manila 1005 Philippines Tel: +6327356201/5641451 to 80 Email: [email protected]/[email protected] 2. Hon. Leila M. De Lima Secretary, Department of Justice (DOJ) Padre Faura Street Ermita, Manila 1000 Philippines Fax: +63 2 523 9548 Tel: +63 2 521 1908 Email: [email protected] / doj.delima@gmail 3. Chairperson Loretta Ann P. Rosales Commission on Human Rights (CHR) SAAC Bldg., Commonwealth Avenue U.P. Complex, Diliman Quezon City Philippines Tel: +63 2 928 5655, +63 2 926 6188 Fax: +63 2 929 0102 Email: rosales.chr@gmail
Posted on: Wed, 21 Jan 2015 03:46:43 +0000
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