Alleged extrajudicial killing

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 Alliance for the Advancement of Peoples’ Rights (KARAPATAN), a member of the OMCT SOS-Torture network, about the alleged extra-judicial killing of Mr. Regolo A. Moran, a 56-year-old municipal vice mayor, resident of Brgy Banahao, Dimasalang, Masbate, in Dimasalang Masbate, on 7 December 2007.

According to the information received, on 7 December 2007, at around 3:30 p.m., Mr. Regolo A. Moran returned to his office, which is located at the ground floor of the municipal hall, from the municipal council session held at the second floor of the building, when two men wearing ski masks armed with handguns, allegedly elements of the 9th Infantry Battalion Philippine Army (IBPA) under the command of 1st Lt. Beronia, entered the room and started shooting him. Mr. Regolo A. Moran reportedly wrestled with one of the gunmen but the other one shot him. The perpetrators reportedly fled on board of a motorcycle.

Mr. Regolo A. Moran sustained three gunshot wounds and later died on the way to the Masbate Colleges Hospital, a two hours drive from Dimasalang.

According to the same information, Ms. Riza Asarez, the vice mayor’s secretary, and Mr. Ruel Afable, an employee at the vice mayor’s office, were also wounded during the shooting.

No investigation was reportedly launched into this event.

According to the information, Mr. Regolo A. Moran condemned on several occasions the spate of killings and other human rights violations in the province allegedly perpetrated by the military. He was reportedly scheduled to participate in the International Human Rights Day rally in the province on 10 December 2007 as part of the negotiating team of the mobilisation. Prior to his death, Mr. Regolo A. Moran reportedly complained that elements of the 9th Infantry Battalion Philippine Army under the command of 1st Lt. Beronia were constantly "inviting" him.

The International Secretariat of OMCT is gravely concerned about the alleged extra-judicial killing of Mr. Regolo A. Moran by elements of the IBPA. OMCT calls on the authorities to order a prompt, thorough and impartial investigation into the circumstances of this extra-judicial killing, 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. i. Guarantee, in all circumstances, the physical and psychological integrity of Ms. Riza Asarez and Mr. Ruel Afable;
2. ii. Order a prompt, thorough and impartial investigation into the circumstances of the alleged extra-judicial killing of Mr. Regolo A. Moran and shooting of Ms. Riza Asarez and Mr. Ruel Afable, in order to identify those responsible, bring them to trial and apply the penal and/or administrative sanctions as provided by law;
3. iii. Guarantee that adequate reparation is granted to the victim’s family and to Ms. Riza Asarez and Mr. Ruel Afable;
4. iv. Guarantee the respect of human rights and the fundamental freedoms throughout the country in accordance with national laws and international human rights standards.

Addresses

• H.E. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, President of the Republic, New Executive Building, Malacanang Palace, JP Laurel St., San Miguel, Manila, Philippines ; Tel: +632 564 1451 to 80 ; Fax: +632 742-1641 / 929-3968 ; Cell#: (+ 63) 919 898 4622 / (+63) 917 839 8462 ; E-mail: corres@op.gov.ph / opnet@ops.gov.ph / kgma@yahoogroups.com;
• Mr. José de Venecia Jr., Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rm. MB-2, House of Representatives, Constitution Hills, Quezon City, Philippines ; Tel: +632.9315001;
• Hon. Purificacion Valera Quisumbing, Chairman of the Commission on Human Rights, SAAC BUIlding, Commonwealth Avenue, U.P. Complex, Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines ; + 632 928 5655 ; Fax: 632 929 01 02;
• Mr. Raul Gonzales, Minister of Justice, Department of Justice, Building Padre Faura, 1004 Manila, Philippines ; Tel: +63 (2) 5238481 ; Fax: +63 (2) 521 1614 ; Email: sechbp@info.com.ph
• Ambassador Enrique A. Manalo, 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, 12 December 2007

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