Press Statement                                                                                                     Reference: Marie Hilao-Enriquez
21 January 2004                                                                                                                     Secretary General

Mindoro Island: Save this slowly dying paradise

KARAPATAN, the Alliance for the Advancement of People's Rights denounces in the strongest possible terms the recent invasion of military troops from the 22nd Reconnaissance Company Philippine Army (PA), 16th Infantry Battalion PA and 68th Infantry Battalion PA on the province of Mindoro Occidental, wrecking havoc on the lives of Mindoreños.

After "neutralizing" Mindoro Oriental, government soldiers have now moved to Mindoro Occidental and have begun their devastation of the said province. Consider this streak of rights violations in the province in a span of barely a year -

February, 2003 - the murder of Edgar Panagsagan
July 21, 2003 - Blanco Family Massacre
December 10, 2003 - harassment of people's organizations holding an
activity for Human Rights Day
January 7, 2003 - abduction and forced disappearance of Norberto
Vargas

On the second week of this month, various reports of forced evacuation, destruction of property, threats and harassment, torture, abduction and forced disappearance etc. were reported by the Quick Reaction Force recently sent to the area after the 22nd Recon Coy PA, 16th IBPA and 68th IB overrun the municipalities of Abra de Ilog, Paluan and Mamburao in Mindoro Occidental.

"We have yet to receive justice for the murders of the Albarillo couple, Choy Napoles, Eden Marcellana and Eddie Gumanoy and others in Mindoro Oriental," laments Marie Hilao-Enriquez, KARAPATAN Secretary General. "Now, the list of victims is adding up on this new and devastating development that deployment of military troops and their operations in Mindoro Occidental are intensifying."

The rights leader, likewise criticized the promotion of Col. Jovito Palparan, Jr., former Commanding Officer of the 204th Brigade responsible for the massive human rights violations in Mindoro Occidental. Palparan, is being sent abroad to lead the country's military contingent which will conduct civic and medical operations in Iraq. "First he was promoted to Brigadier General, then was assigned as the deputy commander of the 2nd Infantry Division of the Philippine Army based in Tanay, Rizal. Now he is being sent to Iraq. This is a very clear message that violations are being encouraged by the GMA administration and we condemn this blatant impunity!"

KARAPATAN also pointed to the possibility that local politicians and local government leaders in the province, seeking re-election for their posts are responsible for the recent military activity in the province. "It is not impossible that the power of guns, goons and gold is at work here and those who wish to retain their positions or are seeking higher offices will do anything to get that 'vote'." Enriquez said. "Should politicians responsible for such acts win, we fear that human rights violations will continue and would be more rampant in the province."

Like a chronic and malignant disease, the military troops in the island of Mindoro have been slowly creeping in and eating away the sanity and quiet existence of the ordinary Mindoreño for two and a half years now with their unabated and destructive military operations. This paradise island is in danger of ceasing to exist.

Save this dying paradise now!
Stop Militarization in Mindoro!
Let Mindoro Bleed no more!