PRESS STATEMENT

Monday, September 22, 2003

ABDUCTION OF FOUR LEADERS AND MEMBERS OF YOUTH ORGANIZATION AND YOUTH PARTY LIST IN MACO, ANOTHER BLATANT ACT OF STATE

TERRORISM - Karapatan Southern Mindanao

        We have just recently commemorated the 31st year anniversary of the declaration of Martial Law yet with the 

recent atrocities happening around, the dreadful condition during Martial Law years remains the same, if not worse.

        The very recent abduction incident in Maco, Compostella Valley is an addition to the hundreds of grave 

violations of human rights perpetrated by no less than the forces of the state.

        Witnesses identified the abductors as several armed men, some of which were wearing bonnets.  And some other 

witnesses identified a certain Willie Javier, a Military Intelligence Group Agent believe to be one of those responsible

for the abduction. Surprisingly, descriptions of the perpetrators are similar to the abductors present in our very own 

city who were abducting Moro after the Davao bombing incidents.

        The four victims were all active youth and members of progressive youth organization who were on their way

home after attending a celebration in Davao City.

        Abducted by the notorious elements were Lito Doydoy, 27 yrs. old, Anakbayan (comprehensive youth mass 

organization) community organizer, Marjorie Reynoso, 18 yrs. old, Brgy.  Anislagan SK Chairperson and Municipal 

Coordinator of Anak ng Bayan Partylist, Jonathan Benaro, 16 yrs. old, Brgy. Mapaang SK Kagawad and active member of Anak

ng Bayan Partylist and Ramon Regase Jr., 17 yrs. old driver.

        Base on initial investigation of Karapatan Quick Reaction Team, the four victims were on-board a motorcycle and 

upon nearing Hijo Plantation gate, along Apukon to Maco Highway, two vehicles (white and red tamaraw fx with no plate 

number) blocked their way.  Two of the male victims tried to ran away but the perpetrators shot them on their legs. 

After a few minutes, the armed men hauled the victims inside the vehicle, leaving behind some of the victims' belongings

and bloodstains on the road.

        Contrary to the claims of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the bloodshed was few of the upshots of their own

cold-blooded crimes instigated against innocent civilians and not perpetrated by just any notorious groups.

        With the dreadful events happening in our midst, we can attest and foresee the alarming and continuous rise of

human rights violations and more bloodshed of militants and members of progressive organizations are being persecuted

under Gloria Macapagal Arroyo's "strong republic."

        The Southern Mindanao Region HRV monitor which records 432 human rights violation cases with 13,064 victims with

elements of AFP as the perpetrators under GMA regime, alone which is unfazingly increasing shows clear collapse of the 

rule of law.  It is evident that blatant terrorism perpetrated by the state especially against innocent civilians and 

those who genuinely struggle for national democracy has long been materialized.

        We reiterate our stand, that contrary to the claims of the military their presence in the city is a strong 

indication of a crackdown against those who get in the way of their campaign for state's terrorism in the pretext of 

counter-terrorism and not for any security purposes.

        We are alarmed by the escalating incidence of brutality perpetrated by the military in our midst.  We demand an 

end to the mechanisms of state-sponsored terror thatexist under GMA Regime.  The Arroyo administration together with her

co-horts, The Armed Forces of thePhilippines should be forewarned of mounting resistance and strengthening of people's 

movement for human rights and civil liberties.

        We strongly condemn this barbarism specifically the recent acts of political repression of the state's armed 

forces.  We call for an immediate investigation of this abduction.  We demand the Armed For ces of the State to produce

Lito Doydoy, Marjorie Reynoso, Jonathan Benaro, and Jong-jong Regase!

We demand justice for all human rights victims!

For reference:

ARIEL CASILAO

Secretary General

Karapatan- Southern Mindanao Region

Mobile Number: 09204379903