Dear friends,

Its just five more days before the commemoration of International Human Rights Day, but human rights violations are still rampant under the administration of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo today.

We call your attention to another massacre of a family in Zamboanga del Sur, Philippines, your immediate action is urgently needed.

In solidarity,
KARAPATAN National Office
Alliance for the Advancement of People's Rights
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UA Date: 04 December 2004

UA Title: Massacre of the Monsalud Family in Zamboanga del Sur, Philippines

UA Case: Massacre

I. Victim/s:

Ellasar Monsalud (killed) 

• 48 years old; married with two children

• Male
• A peasant and a Purok Vice President in their locality
• A resident of Purok 3, Lower Calabat, Josefina, Zamboanga del Sur, Philippines
  
  

Concepcion Monsalud (killed)

• 39 years old; married to Ellasar with two children
• Female
• A member of the farm workers cooperative and treasurer of a Roman Catholic Church in their locality
• A resident of Purok 3, Lower Calabat, Josefina, Zamboanga del Sur, Philippines

Charlie Monsalud (killed)

• 10 years old; single
• Male
• The youngest son of the slain couple Ellasar and Concepcion
• A resident of Purok 3, Lower Calabat, Josefina, Zamboanga del Sur, Philippines

II. Place of Incident:

Purok 3, Lower Calabat, Josefina, Zamboanga del Sur, Philippines

III. Date of Incident:

04 December, 2004 between 4:30 am

IV. Perpetrators:

Six (6) unidentified armed men, five (5) of them wearing military uniforms and the other one in plain clothes wearing a bonnet.

V. Account of Incident:

At 4:30 am on 04December six (6) armed men, five (5) of whom were wearing military uniforms and one (1) of which was in civilian clothes and sporting a bonnet mercilessly shot and killed three members of the Monsalud Family. The eldest daughter Cheryl Monsalud was spared because she was participating in a Girl Scout camp at the Josefina Elementary School at that time.

Ellasar Monsalud sustained 12 gunshot wounds on his back; his wife Concepcion suffered three (3) while their ten-year-old son Charlie had seven (7) similar wounds on his body.

Initial reports by the KARAPATAN quick reaction team in Western Mindanao state that based from the empty shells recovered at the crime scene a 45 caliber pistol was used in the massacre of the three victims.

According to Barangay Captain Manase Orzais, the said couple was simple and respected community members in his barangay. They had no bad record or a questionable reputation in their community. In fact, Ellasar was Purok Vice President, while his wife, Concepcion was a treasurer of a Roman Catholic Church in their locality.

Incidentally the couple was former rebels who operated in the Lanao del Norte area for quite some time. They decided to stop and join the mainstream in 2001. Last 06 November Ellasar saw a soldier whom he met when he was still active in the underground movement. The soldier recognized him as well. After that they found out that they were being hunted down by the soldier.

On 10 November the husband and wife decided to surrender to the police in Josefina, Zamboanga del Sur who brought them to the TABAK 1st Infantry Division, Philippine Army in Pulacan, Labangan, Zamboanga del Sur. They thought that this decision would help clear their name and prevent them from further getting harassed.

But the Tuesday massacre proved otherwise.



RECOMMENDED ACTION:

Send letters, emails or fax messages calling for:

1.      The immediate formation of an independent fact-finding and investigation team composed of representatives from human rights groups, the Church, local government, and the Commission on Human Rights that will look into the massacre the Monsalud Family ;

2.      The arrest and prosecution of the perpetrators of the crime of massacre committed.

3.      The immediate and proper indemnification of the family/relatives of the victims; and

4.      The Philippine Government to be reminded that it is a signatory to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and that it is also a party to all the major Human Rights instruments, thus it is bound to observe all of its provisions

You may send your communications to:

H.E. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo
President of the Republic
Malacanang Palace,
JP Laurel St., San Miguel
Manila Philippines
Voice: (+632) 564 1451 to 80
Fax: (+632) 742-1641 / 929-3968
Cell#: (+ 63) 919 898 4622 / (+63) 917 839 8462
E-mail: [email protected] / [email protected]

Hon. Teresita Deles
Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process
7F Agustin Building I
Emerald Avenue
Pasig City, Philippines
Voice: (+632) 636 0701 to 0766
Fax: (+632) 638 2216

Hon. Avelino Cruz
Secretary, Department of National Defense
Camp Emilio Aguinaldo
E. de los Santos Avenue,
Quezon City, Philippines
Voice: (+632) 912-9281
Fax: (+632) 911 6213

Hon. Purificacion Valera Quisumbing
Chairperson, Commission on Human Rights
SAAC Bldg., UP Complex
Commonwealth Avenue
Diliman, Quezon City
Philippines
Fax: (+632) 929 0102
Email: [email protected]