Extra-judicial killing of farmer leader Mr. Menelao "Boy" Barcia

Philippines

May 8, 2014

The Observatory for the Protection of Human RightsDefenders, a joint programme of the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT)and the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH), requests your urgentintervention in the following situation in The Philippines.

Brief description of the situation:

TheObservatory has been informed by the Task Force Detainees of the Philippines(TFDP), the Medical Action Group (MAG) and the Alliance forAdvancement of People's Rights (KARAPATAN) about the extra-judicial killing of Mr.Menelao "Boy" Barcia,a farmer leader, Barangay Councillor and a leader of the Alliance of UnitedPeople of Hacienda Dolores (Alyansa ng Nagkakaisang Mamamayan ng HaciendaDolores - ANIBAN)[1],in Porac, Pampanga province.

According to the information received, on May 2, 2014, ataround 9 p.m, Mr. Menelao "Boy" Barcia picked up his wife Mariaat a gas station in Angeles City where she worked. Whiledriving their jeep back to Barangay Hacienda Dolores, four men on twomotorcycles drove alongside them. The men fired at Mr. Barcia's vehicle. Mr. Barciasustained four gunshot wounds - three in the chest and one at the back of hishead - and was rushed to the hospital, where he was declared deadon arrival. His wife survived the attack with gunshots in her foot that needsurgery.

Mr. Barciawas organising the farmers of Hacienda Dolores against LLL HoldingsIncorporated (LLHI) and FL properties and Management Corporation (nowTerrafirma Holdings Inc.), which claim ownership of their ancestral domain.

TheObservatory condemns in the strongest term the extra-judicial killing of Mr.Menelao "Boy" Barcia, and calls upon the authorities of thePhilippines to conduct an immediate, thorough, effective,and impartial investigation in order to identify all those responsible, bringthem before a civil competent and impartial tribunal and apply the penalsanctions provided by the law.

Action requested:

Pleasewrite to the authorities in the Philippines, urging them to:

i. Guarantee in allcircumstances the physical and psychological integrity of all human rightsdefenders in the Philippines;

ii. Order an immediate,thorough, transparent, effective and impartial investigation into the extra-judicialkilling of Mr. Menelao "Boy" Barcia inorder to identify all those responsible, bring them before an independenttribunal, and apply them the sanctions provided by the law;

iii. Provide adequatereparation and compensation to Mr. Menelao "Boy" Barcia’srelatives;

iv. Put an end to any kindof harassment against all human rights defenders in the Philippinesand ensure in all circumstances that they are able to carry out theirlegitimate activities without any hindrance and fear of reprisals;

v. Conform with theprovisions of the UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders, adopted by theGeneral Assembly of the United Nations on December 9, 1998, especiallyregarding the following Articles:

- Article1: everyone has the right, individually and in association with others, topromote and to strive for the protection and realisation of human rights andfundamental freedoms at the national and international levels;

- Article12.2: the State shall take all necessary measures to ensure the protection bythe competent authorities of everyone, individually and in association withothers, against any violence, threats, retaliation, de facto or de jure adversediscrimination, pressure or any other arbitrary action as a consequence of hisor her legitimate exercise of his or her rights [...];

vi. Ensure in allcircumstances the respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms inaccordance with international human rights standards and internationalinstruments ratified by the Philippines.

Addresses:

· Hon. Benigno Simeon Aquino III, President, Republic ofthe Philippines, Malacañang Palace,JP Laurel Street, San Miguel, Manila 1005, Philippines; Fax: +63 2 7361010 / (+632) 742-1641 / 929-3968;E-mail: corres@op.gov.ph / opnet@ops.gov.ph/ op@president.gov.ph

· Sec.Teresita Quintos-Deles, Presidential Adviser on the PeaceProcess, Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP), 7thFloor Agustin Building I, Emerald Avenue, Pasig City 1605, Philippines. Fax:+63(2) 638 2216. Email: stqd.papp@opapp.gov.ph

· VicePresident Jejomar C. Binay, Chairperson Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council(HUDCC), BDO Plaza, 8737 Paseo De Roxas St,Makati City, Philippines. Fax: +63 2 811 4158 Email:info@hudcc.gov.ph

·Ret.Lt. Gen. Voltaire T. Gazmin, Secretary, Department of National Defence, Room301 DND Building, Camp Emilio Aguinaldo, E. de los Santos Avenue, Quezon City,Philippines. Fax:+63(2) 982-5600. Email: osnd@philonline.com, dnd.opla@gmail.com

· Atty.Leila De Lima, Secretary, Department of Justice, Padre Faura St., Manila,Philippines. Fax: (+632) 523-9548. Email: lmdelima@doj.gov.ph, lmdelima.doj@gmail.com, lmdelima.doj2@gmail.com

· Chairperson Loretta Ann P. Rosales, Commission on Human Rights (CHR),SAAC Bldg., Commonwealth Avenue, U.P. Complex, Diliman, Quezon City,Philippines; Fax: +63 2929 0102; E-mail: chair.rosales.chr@gmail.com / lorettann@gmail.com

· Police Director General Alan LA Madrid Purisima, Chief, PhilippineNational Police, Camp General Rafael Crame, Quezon City, Philippines; Fax:(+63) 2 724 8763/ (+63) 2 723 0401; E-mail: feedback@pnp.gov.ph

· H.E. Ms. Cecilia B. Rebong,Ambassador, Permanent Mission of Philippines to the UnitedNations. 47, Avenue Blanc, 1202 Geneva 19. Switzerland. Fax: (+41) (0) 22 716 1932. E-mail: geneva.pm@dfa.gov.ph

Pleasealso write to the diplomatic missions or embassies of the Philippines in yourrespective country.

***

Geneva-Paris, May 8, 2014

Kindlyinform us of any action undertaken quoting the code of this appeal in yourreply.

TheObservatory, an OMCT and FIDH venture, is dedicated to the protection of HumanRights Defenders and aims to offer them concrete support in their time of need.

Tocontact the Observatory, call the emergency line:

• E-mail: Appeals@fidh-omct.org

· Teland fax OMCT + 41 (0) 22 809 49 39 / + 41 22 809 49 29

· Tel and fax FIDH + 33 (0) 1 43 55 25 18 / +33 1 43 55 18 80

[1] ANIBAN is agroup that claims ownership of Hacienda Dolores by virtue of the ComprehensiveAgrarian Reform Program (CARP).