Press Statement                                                                                                     Reference: Marie Hilao-Enriquez
13 March 2004                                                                                                                            Secretary General

on the first month death anniversary of Vice Mayor Juvy Magsino and Leyma Fortu
State terror at its worst under the GMA administration - KARAPATAN

KARAPATAN joined families and supporters of Vice Mayor Juvy Magsino and Leyma Fortu in commemorating the first month death anniversary of their loved ones in a press conference in Quezon City today as it denounced the GMA government in its continuing drive of state terrorism.

Marie Hilao-Enriquez, KARAPATAN Secretary General lambasted the Macapagal-Arroyo Government for further intensifying state terrorism in the country with the growing list of human rights violations in the first quarterof this year alone.

"The President is hell bent on removing every perceived obstacle in her race to the finish line in May, 2004. We are appalled by the growing number of victims her government is producing as each day passes." The human rights leader said.

From January - March 10, 2004 alone, there have already been four (4) victims of murder in three (3) incidents; five (5) victims of enforced disappearances; two (2) cases of illegal detention and one (1) illegal arrest as well as three (3) cases of harassments. KARAPATAN notes that most of the victims are members of partylist groups seeking office for May, 2004, particularly those of Bayan Muna and Anakpawis.

· Norberto Vargas, 32 years old and a peasant from Calintaan, Mindoro Occidental missing since, January 7, 2004
· Felix Rosquites, 49 years old and a Bayan Muna organizer from Asuncion, Davao del Norte, killed last January 8, 2004
· Nine Members of a Quick Reaction Team sent to Mindoro Occidental, harassed, physically assaulted and divested of properties last January 22, 2004
· Teresita Abellera 52 years old and a Bayan Muna Municipal Coordinater was illegally arrested and detained last February 8, 2004
· Vice Mayor Juvy Magsino and Leyma Fortu, 34 and 27 years old respectively and both affiliated with KARAPATAN, Bayan Muna and Mindoro for Justice and Peace in Naujan, Mindoro Oriental, were murdered last February 13, 2004
· The FARDEC (Farmers Development Center) which also doubled as Anakpawis headquarters in Bohol, was raided by combined elements of both the local police and the 302nd IBPA last February 13-14, 2004
· Adrian Alegria, 21 years old and an Anakpawis organizer from Sta. Cruz, Mindoro Occidental was killed last February 18, 2004
· Jacqueline Paguntalan, 24 years old and Rolando Fortaleza, 28 years old, both organizers of Bayan Muna from Leyte have been missing since February 21, 2004
· Jaime Rodriguez, 45 and Isiderio delos Santos, 57 both Bayan Muna organizers from Tinambac, Camarines Sur have also been missing since March 7, 2004

The human rights watchdog so far have recorded 281 victims of killings; 31 victims of enforced disappearances, 1,098 victims of unjustified arrest and detention and 795 cases of harassments. In all there are 3,049 cases of human rights violations and 170,933 individual victims, 18,517 families, 72 communities as well as 237 households.

Enriquez who was appointed by the NDFP as an independent observer of the Joint Monitoring Committee along with Iglesia Filipino Independiente Supreme Bishop Tomas Millamena, urged the immediate operation of the JMC to help look into these right violations.

"It is sad to note that the Joint Monitoring Committee was completed almost at the same time Vice Mayor Juvy Magsino and Leyma Fortu were killed." Enriquez lamented, "However, we are hopeful that similar deaths and other human rights violations will lessen or altogether cease when the JMC becomes operational."

With both the GRP and the NDFP on another round of peace talks at the end of the month, KARAPATAN hopes that pressing issues such as human rights violations will not only be seriously taken up but concrete actions must be manifested as a result of such negotiations.

"We all know to well that President Arroyo will not stop this campaign so long as she remains in power and the interests of her government and imperial America are served." Enriquez said. "State terrorism must be stopped in order for her to show that efforts like engaging in peace negotiations will not be wasted." ###