KARAPATAN QUESTIONS POLICE NEGLECT

OVER  CHURCH LEADER'S KILLING IN STA. CRUZ

Press Statement

March 27, 2003

 

Karapatan questions the inaction manifested by police authorities stationed in Sta. Cruz Davao del Sur over the recent killing of a United Church of Christ in the Philippines (UCCP) churchleader.

 

Silvestre "Elvis" Ading was shot dead while having coffee at the kitchen of his residence in Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur at around 6:30 pm last March 7, 2003.

 

Relatives of Ading immediately sought help from the police and subsequently, an investigation into the matter but complained they were not given immediate assistance.

 

"Atong higayuna giadto dayon sa Kagawad ang police station ug gi report niya ang nahitabo sa akong bana pero wala gyud gi asikaso sa mga pulis, wala gyud nila

giadto ang nahitabuan [At that time, the Kagawad went immediately to the police station to report what happened but the police just dismissed the incident.  They did not even bother to investigate the place]," Rosie Ading, the victim's wife, said.

 

The death of Ading who was involved  in community action, as leader of the people's organization Lumad Kasakit ug Kalipay Organization, is not only a big loss to the  Bagobo tribe, but a loss as well to a movement founded in pursuit of people's rights.

 

Ading had always lived the devout life of a churchperson whose preferential option for the poor often led him to fearless choices.  By making this choice, it is of little doubt that he would earn the ire of military elements who are ready to pounce at people's legitimate political dissent.

 

Ading was never known to be in trouble with anyone, having lived a life professing Christianity. He was a community churchleader, known as chairperson of the

Nagkahiusang Magtutuo/Mag-uuma sa Lubo.

 

But Ading's murderer pierced two bullets through his lower right cheek, an act only a trained henchman can execute.  His wife and children could only behold in shock how their father could have been felled without them hearing any prior gunshots.

 

Such scene only brings us back to the martial law days when churchpeople known to have participation in legitimate political dissent are killed in their very abode by military and paramilitary elements.

 

Karapatan would likewise note how Ading's wife, Rosie initially reacted to the killing saying, "Dugay naman gud nang giinitan sa mga military ug CAFGU diri si

Elvis kay ginapasanginlan siya nga supporter daw lagi sa NPA apan dili gyud kana tinuod."

 

These are matters which Karapatan cannot allow to discount especially in the light of the growing list of innocent people getting killed by the state's armed forces on mere suspicion that they are members of an armed revolutionary group.

 

The hapless killing of Ading is not isolated from the current events plaguing Mindanao lately; events that if the citizens are not wary about could lead back to the dark days of Martial law.

 

It is in this light that Karapatan strongly seek investigation into the circumstances surrounding Ading's death.

 

As Karapatan supports the victim's family in their quest for justice in the killing of their loved one, it vows to pursue actions that will bring the perpetrators to justice.

 

Ading's death left an indelible mark of terror in their community - a terror that will probably take time for people in their community to stand up again and continue the kind of struggle that Ading left behind.

 

KARAPATAN DEMANDS SPEEDY INVESTIGATION INTO THE KILLING!

 

KARAPATAN DEMANDS THAT JUSTICE BE SERVED TO THE VICTIMS OF ANOTHER GROSS HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATION!

 

PEOPLE UNITE AGAINST INJUSTICE!

 

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For Reference:

ARIEL CASILAO

Secretary General

Karapatan Southern Mindanao

Contact #. 305-0824