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Archived Urgent Action
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Canadian church partners in the Philippines report that at approximately 2:30 AM on November 23, 2002, an undetermined number of armed men wearing bonnets and military fatigues entered the home of Oscar Sacdalan in Barangay Tabinay Malaki, Puerto Galera, Mindoro Oriental. After tying up his wife and children, the men forced Oscar Sacdalan to accompany them outside. Witnesses heard Oscar Sacdalan crying in pain as the men first took turns in hitting him and, subsequently, assassinated him. |
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(See the International Human Right Day page for more action background information)
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo
President of the Republic
Malacanang Palace
JP Laurel Street, San Miguel
Manila,
PHILIPPINES
Fax: 011-(632) 742-1641
E-mail: corres@op.gov.ph
Dear President Macapagal-Arroyo
I am writing to express my concern over the deteriorating situation in Mindoro Oriental. According to credible information received by KAIROS: Canadian Ecumenical Justice Initiatives, there has been a dramatic increase in human rights violations committed in recent weeks.
Canadian church partners in the Philippines report that at approximately 2:30 AM on November 23, 2002, an undetermined number of armed men wearing bonnets and military fatigues entered the home of Oscar Sacdalan in Barangay Tabinay Malaki, Puerto Galera, Mindoro Oriental. After tying up his wife and children, the men forced Oscar Sacdalan to accompany them outside. Witnesses heard Oscar Sacdalan crying in pain as the men first took turns in hitting him and, subsequently, assassinated him.
Later that same day, another group of armed men forced their way into the home of Victor "Jun" Saducos Jr., a 34 year old resident of Sitio Hulo, Barangay Tabinay Maliit, Puerto Galera, Mindoro Oriental. Threatening to hurt his child, the intruders dragged Victor Saducos from his home. His whereabouts remain unknown.
Filipino human rights organizations note that the manner in which these crimes were committed strongly point to the involvement of the Armed Forces of the Philippines -- in particular the 204th PA Infantry Brigade which, as part of the Campaign Plan Habol Tamaraw counter-insurgency operations, has been implicated in other similar violations.
I urge you to ensure that these crimes are thoroughly investigated and that those found responsible be brought to justice before civilian courts. I also call on your government to provide guarantees for the safety of the people in Mindoro.
Sincerely,
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