Karapatan dares PNoy to stop killings as three more activists are slain

The human rights alliance Karapatan denounced the latest extra-judicial killings by suspected state forces of BAYAN MUNA activist Rodel Estrellado of Barangay 3, Malilipot, Albay and B’laan tribal chief Rudy Dejos and his son Rody Rick Dejos of Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur.


“These are despicable crimes that should be denounced by our people and the international community. As the Aquino government talks peace, his troops are once again on a killing spree,” KARAPATAN spokesperson Jigs Clamor said.

The human rights alliance Karapatan denounced the latest extra-judicial killings by suspected state forces of BAYAN MUNA activist Rodel Estrellado of Barangay 3, Malilipot, Albay and B’laan tribal chief Rudy Dejos and his son Rody Rick Dejos of Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur.


“These are despicable crimes that should be denounced by our people and the international community. As the Aquino government talks peace, his troops are once again on a killing spree,” KARAPATAN spokesperson Jigs Clamor said.


“The new Internal Peace and Security Plan (IPSP) “Bayanihan” of the AFP, approved by Aquino, included so-called selective targets of military operations. This is no different from the Oplan Bantay-Laya of the AFP under Macapagal-Arroyo which killed 1,206 in nine years.  Aquino seems "all talk and no action” in ordering state security forces to stop the killings.   If Aquino really wants peace, he should stop the killings,” Clamor said.


Estrellado, 34, was abducted around 9:00 am on February 25 by four men posing as Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) agents as he was walking home after buying food for his family at the local market. He was forced to board a grey car with the plate number MXN 902 according to Vince Casilihan, Karapatan-Bikol regional coordinator.
Casilihan said that as early as 6:30am on the same day, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) through Major Razeleigh Cabunoc issued a statement that a New People’s Army (NPA) member was killed a certain Elmer Estrellado in an encounter in Brgy. Buluang, Bato, Camarines Sur.


Also on the same day, at 1:25 pm a certain Major Danilo Ambe and a 2LT Maribel Donilla based in Mabalud balud, Tigaon, Camarines Sur filed a blotter report in PNP Bato that they conducted a strike operation in Buluang, Bato that resulted in the death of one Elmer Estrellado.


The “Elmer” reported by the military turned out to be Rodel. His remains was recovered by his family at a funeral parlor in Camarines Sur on February 27.


Meanwhile, the B’laan tribal chief and leader of the Zone-1 Farmers Association (ZOFA) in Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur affiliated with the Kilusang Magbubuid ng Pilipinas (KMP), Rudy Yalon-Dejos, 50, and his son Rody Rick, 26, were found dead with gunshot and stab wounds inside their house on February 27.


The Dejos family members were consistent targets of harassment and intimidation by soldiers from the 39th IB Philippine Army and members of the Citizens Auxiliary Geographical Unit (CAFGU) since June last year.