PRESS STATEMENT

PRESS STATEMENT 
23 May 2001
For Reference:  DANI BELTRAN
                  Secretary General, EMJP



Justice for the victims of forced disappearance!  
Stop militarization in Southern Tagalog!

DENNIS MENIDILLA disappeared last April 18.  He was held without charges in
the military camp for 34 days.  He was used as "guide" in the operations of
the 1st Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army and CAFGUs.  His
brother-in-law was also abducted, and escaped from the hands of the
military after three days.  His family went into hiding because of fear
from the military.  Last night, the military reached the peak of their
arrogance and stupidity.   

Menidilla "resurfaced" yesterday on orders from the military to get his
wife and 5-month old son who seek refuge in the office of Pagkakaisa't
Ugnayan ng Magbubukid sa Laguna (PUMALAG).  Military and CAFGU elements
surrounded the office while waiting for the family to come out, in the
process sowing tension and terror in the community.
But, they never got Menidilla again.

The elements of 1st Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army are not only
using civilians in their counter-insurgency operations, they are actually
victimizing civilians in their desperate offensives in the countryside.  If
this is not a clear violation of international humanitarian law, what kind
of military arrogance these hoodlums in uniform are doing in Southern
Tagalog?  

A growing number of human rights violations are committed in Southern
Tagalog.  Five out of six victims of forced disappearances, including
Menidilla, came from this region.
Last May, alleged military assets killed Virgilio Alcantara inside a
passenger jeepney along the national road, just a few meters away from the
detachment of 405th PNP Mobile Group.  Alcantara, who was selling
vegetables for his living, happened to be the brother of Tirso Alcantara,
alleged leader of NPA's Melito Glor Command.   Witnesses said that
Alcantara could have survived the attack if "responding" policemen did not
prevent them from bringing the victim immediately to the nearest hospital.  

These blatant violations of human rights and international humanitarian law
take place amidst the resumption of the peace talks between the government
and NDF.  President Arroyo, if only to prove her sincerity to the
negotiation, must start de-militarizing Southern Tagalog and punish the
elements of military and CAFGUs that continue to violate human rights.

Or, are we seeing the same old scenario wherein the President is paying lip
service to peace on one hand while the military is waging its
indiscriminate offensives on the other hand? 
  

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ECUMENICAL MOVEMENT FOR JUSTICE AND PEACE 
(EMJP-Philippines)

#76 Matatag street, Bgy. Pinyahan
Diliman, Quezon City
1100 PHILIPPINES

Tele/fax :  +632 4335963

Postal Address: P.O. Box 1127 Manila  
                1099 Philippines

URL: http://www.geocities.com/CapitolHill/Lobby/9371
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