Republic of the PhilippinesHOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Quezon City, Metro Manila

TWELFTH CONGRESSFirst Regular Session

HOUSE RESOLUTION No. 538

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Introduced by Reps. Satur C. Ocampo, Crispin B. Beltran, Liza L. Maza,Gerry A. Salapuddin, Emilio R. Espinosa Jr., Ace S. Barbers, Rolando G. Andaya Jr.,

Antonio E. B. Nachura, Carlos M. Padilla, Oscar S. Moreno, Raul V. Del Mar,Arthur D. Defensor, Roseller L. Barinaga, Exequiel B. Javier, Ernie D. Clarete,

Juan Miguel F. Zubiri, Edelmiro A. Amante, Berthobal R. Ancheta, Leovigildo B. Banaag, Danton Q. Bueser, Krisel Lagman Luistro, Ted Failon,

Clavel A. Martinez, Nerissa Corazon Soon-Ruiz, Vicky H. Reyes, Filomena “Nenet” San Juan, Felix R. Alferol, Del R. De Guzman,

Jose Apolinario L. Lozada Jr., Nereus O. Acosta, Oscar S. Rodriguez,Willie Buyson Villarama, Abraham Kahlil B. Mitra, Federico S. Sandoval II,

Charity P. Leviste, Alfonso V. Umali Jr., Cho Roco, Joaquin M. Chipeco, Jr., Roberto C. Cajes, Antonio P. Yapha Jr., Faysah R.P.M. Dumarpa,

Joseph A. Santiago, Frank Perez, Isidoro E. Real Jr., Angel M. Carloto II, Raul L. Villareal, Belma A. Cabilao, Ma. Victoria L. Locsin,

Emmanuel Joel J. Villanueva, Rodolfo G. Plaza, Fred H. Castro, Gilbert S. Remulla, Benasing O. Macarambon, Eladio M. Jala,

Jose R. Gullas, Eduardo K. Veloso, Didagen R. Dilangalen, Enrico Echiverri, Isidro S. Rodriguez Jr., Eduardo C. Zialcita, Sherwin T. Gatchalian, Soraya C. Jaafar,

Eileen Ermita-Buhain, Glenda B. Ecleo, Edwin C. Uy, Emmylou J. Taliño-Santos, Enrique T. Garcia Jr., Celia Taganas Layus, Josephine Y. Ramirez-Sato,

Francis L. Nepomuceno, Faustino G. Dy III, Jaime C. Lopez, Salacnib F. Baterina, Conrado M. Estrella III, Aurelio M. Umali, Junie E. Cua, Generoso Dc. Tulagan,

Eric D. Singson, Luis P. Bersamin Jr., Mauricio G. Domogan, Reylina G. Nicolas, Trinidad G. Apostol, Carmen L. Cari, Jose G. Solis, Constantino G. Jaraula, Cynthia A. Villar, Herminio G. Teves, Agapito A. Aquino, Alipio V. Badelles,

J. Mayo Z. Almario, Monico O. Puentevella, Elias C. Bulut Jr., Antonio V. Cuenco, Florencio B. Abad, Douglas Ra. Cagas, Arthur Y. Pingoy Jr., Herminia M. Ramiro,

Uliran T. Joaquin, Edgar R. Erice, Rafael P. Nantes, Oscar L. Gozos, Narciso D. Monfort, Perpetuo B. Ylagan, Prospero S. Amatong, Jesli A. Lapus,

Gabrielle V. Calizo, Solomon R. Chungalao, Felix W.B. Fuentebella, Ronaldo B. Zamora, Harry C. Angping, Ernesto Banzai A. Nieva,

Emilio C. Macias II, Victor R. Sumulong

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RESOLUTIONDIRECTING THE HOUSE COMMITTEE ON CIVIL, POLITICAL

AND HUMAN RIGHTS AND OTHER APPROPRIATE COMMITTEES TO CONDUCT AN INQUIRY, IN AID OF

LEGISLATION, ON THE ALARMING RATE OF KILLINGS,

ENFORCED DISAPPEARANCES AND OTHER HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS COMMITTED AGAINST MEMBERS AND

SUPPORTERS OF THE PARTY-LIST BAYAN MUNA IN VARIOUS REGIONS ALLEGEDLY BY MILITARY AND

POLICE ELEMENTS, AND TO DETERMINE IF THERE IS AN OFFICIAL POLICY OF POLITICAL REPRESSION AGAINST

BAYAN MUNA AND ITS MEMBERS AND SUPPORTERS

WHEREAS the fundamental law of the land expressly upholds the rights to freedom of expression and organization (Art. III, Bill of Rights) and mandates the State to respect “the role of independent people’s organizations to enable the people to pursue and protect, within the democratic framework, their legitimate and collective interests and aspirations through peaceful and lawful means” (Art. XIII, Sec. 15);

WHEREAS Bayan Muna is a legitimate political party duly registered with the Commission on Elections to represent the interests of workers, peasants, fisherfolk, urban poor, indigenous communities, women, youth, and other marginalized sectors in society;

WHEREAS Bayan Muna joined the parliamentary arena to help empower the basic and oppressed sectors of our society in a real and not rhetorical sense, and to advance an alternative platform of nationalism and social change; WHEREAS Bayan Muna ran in the May 14, 2001 party-list elections and topped it, wining over 1.7 million votes or more than the required number of votes for the maximum number of three party-list seats in the House of Representatives;

WHEREAS the performance of Bayan Muna in the last party-list elections must be deemed as a clear mandate by the electorate;

WHEREAS in the course of its legitimate activities raging from community organizing, political education, participation in the legal democratic mass movement and parliamentary work, Bayan Muna has developed a grassroots organization which operates 15 regional offices, 58 provincial chapters and 480 municipal chapters throughout the country;

WHEREAS Bayan Muna coordinators, members and supporters have been the vicims of an alarming rate of human rights violations, totaling 64 cases from February 21, 2001 to April 8, 2002, based on the documentation of the human rights organization Ecumenical Movement for Justice and Peace (EMJP);

WHEREAS the documented cases include 16 cases of killings involving 17 fatalities, 4 cases of enforced disappearance affecting 6 individuals, 9 cases of harassment involving 35 individuals and 2 communities, and 7 cases of unjustified arrest and illegal detention involving 9 individuals;

WHEREAS most of the human rights violations took place in Southern Tagalog, Eastern Visayas, Western Visayas, Central Luzon and Bicol region;

WHEREAS 45% of these cases have been reportedly committed by elements of the military; 13% by the police and 13% by members of the CAFGU;

WHEREAS the alleged perpetrators variously belong to the 70 th Infantry Battalion, 71st IB, 45th

IB, 54th IB, 31st IB, 15th IB, 74th IB, 72nd IB, 73rd IB, 42nd IB, 68th IB and 204th Brigade – all of the Philippine Army -- deployed in different regions nationwide;

WHEREAS in the past two months this year – from February 2 to April 8, 2002 – 15 cases of human rights violations occurred, including the killing of four Bayan Muna coordinators, three of whom were from Mindoro Oriental and one from Isabela;

WHEREAS the most recent fatalities were spouses Expedito and Manuela Albarillo of Bgy. Calsapa, San Teodoro, Mindoro Oriental who were killed on April 8, 2002 by suspected elements of the 16th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army under the command of one Lt. Dimapinto. Expedito, a Bayan Muna coordinator and barangay councilor, sustained eight gunshot wounds in his body. One of his eyes was gouged out and the back of his skull was cracked open. His wife Manuela was shot under her right eye which shattered her neck;

WHEREAS the brutal manner of the killing of the spouses Albarillo is also reflected in other cases of killings and abductions committed against Bayan Muna members and supporters;

WHEREAS in the span of less than a month, from February 4 to March 1, 2002, five Bayan Muna coordinators and members in Central Luzon have been victims of enforced disappearance and remain missing to this day;

WHEREAS the increasing number of human rights violations reveal a disturbing pattern that indicates they are not simply isolated incidents or aberrant phenomena but reminiscent of the systematic trend of political repression during the martial law years;

WHEREAS the situation assumed more seriousness in the light of the report by the regional daily Sunstar Pampanga on February 17, 2002 that Region III Police Director, Chief Supt. Reynaldo Berroya, had ordered intensified surveillance activities on Bayan Muna leaders and members in Central Luzon;

WHEREAS some Bayan Muna chapters in Dumaguete, Bohol, Albay, Laguna as well as the Bayan Muna national headquarters in Quezon City have also reported that similar “orders from above” had been given to the PNP units in their areas;

WHEREAS it is necessary to determine whether the escalating cases of human rights violations targeting Bayan Muna members and supporters in Central Luzon and other regions of the country can be attributed to such orders or to an official policy of political repression against Bayan Muna by the military and/or the government; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, AS IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED that the House Committee on Civil, Political and Human Rights and other appropriate committees, conduct an investigation, in aid of legislation, on the alarming rate of killings, enforced disappearances and other human rights violations being committed against Bayan Muna and its members and supporters in various regions allegedly by military and police elements;

FURTHER RESOLVED that the Committee on Civil, Political and Human Rights and other appropriate committees determine in the course of such investigation whether there is an official policy of political repression by the government and/or the military against Bayan Muna and its members and supporters;

FINALLY RESOLVED that the Committee on Civil, Political and Human Rights and other appropriate committees, based on the result of their investigation, recommend appropriate legislation that will address, prevent, monitor and penalize violations of human rights and international humanitarian law as in these cases and that will provide for justice and indemnification for the victims and their families.

Adopted, 17 April 2002.

SATUR C. OCAMPO CRISPIN B. BELTRAN LIZA L. MAZA Bayan Muna–Party-List Bayan Muna–Party-List Bayan Muna–Party-List

GERRY A. SALAPUDDINBasilan, LD

ANTONIO E. B. NACHURAWestern Samar, 2D

EMILIO R. ESPINOSA, JR.Masbate, 2D

ROSELLER L. BARINAGAZamboanga del Norte, 2D

RAUL V. DEL MARCebu City, 1D

ARTHUR D. DEFENSORIloilo, 3D

ERNIE D. CLARETEMisamis Occidental, 1D

EDELMIRO A. AMANTEAgusan del Norte, 2D

EXEQUIEL B. JAVIERAntique, LD

BERTHOBAL R. ANCHETABukidnon, 2D

LEOVIGILDO B. BANAAGAgusan del Norte, 1D

DANTON Q. BUESERLaguna, 2D

KRISEL LAGMAN LUISTROAlbay, 1D

OSCAR S. MORENOMisamis Oriental, 1D

TED FAILONLeyte, 1D

JOAQUIN M. CHIPECO, JR.Laguna, 2D

CLAVEL A. MARTINEZCebu, 4D

ROBERTO C. CAJESBohol, 2D

ANTONIO P. YAPHA, JR.Cebu, 3D

FAYSAH R.P.M. DUMARPALanao del Sur, 1D

JOSEPH A. SANTIAGOCatanduanes, LD

CHARITY P. LEVISTEMindoro Oriental, 1D

ALFONSO V. UMALI, JR.Mindoro Oriental, 2D

CHO ROCOCamarines Sur, 2D

FELIX R. ALFEROLCanarines Sur, 4D

FRED H. CASTRO Capiz, 2D

BENASING O. MACARAMBONLanao del Sur, 2D

ELADIO M. JALABohol, 3D

JOSE R. GULLASCebu, 1D

GILBERT S. REMULLACavite, 2D

EDUARDO K. VELOSOLeyte, 3D

DIDAGEN R. DILANGALENMaguindanao, 1D

ENRICO “RECOM” ECHIVERRI Caloocan City, 1D

ISIDRO S. RODRIGUEZ, JR.Rizal, 2D

FRANK PEREZBatangas, 2D

ISIDORO E. REAL, JR.Zamboanga del Sur, 1D

ANGEL M. CARLOTO IIZamboanga del Norte, 3D

DEL R. DE GUZMANMarkina, LD

RAUL L. VILLAREALNueva Ecija, 4D

BELMA A. CABILAOZamboanga-Sibugay, LD

MA. VICTORIA L. LOCSINLeyte, 4D

EMMANUEL JOEL J. VILLANUEVACIBAC, Party-List

RODOLFO G. PLAZAAgusan del Sur, LD

JOSE APOLINARIO L. LOZADA JR.Negros Occidental, 5D

ENRIQUE T. GARCIA JR.Bataan, 2D

FEDERICO S. SANDOVAL IIMalabon-Navotas, LD

OSCAR S. RODRIGUEZPampanga, 3D

EDUARDO C. ZIALCITAParañaque City, LD

SHERWIN T. GATCHALIANValenzuela, 1D

SORAYA C. JAAFARTawi-Tawi, LD

EILEEN ERMITA-BUHAINBatangas, 1D

GLENDA B. ECLEOSurigao del Norte, 1D

EMMYLOU J. TALIÑO-SANTOSNorth Cotabato, 1D

ABRAHAM KAHLIL B. MITRAPalawan, 2D

EDWIN C. UYIsabela, 2D

JUAN MIGUEL F. ZUBIRIBukidnon, 3D

JOSEPHINE Y. RAMIREZ-SATOMindoro Occidental, LD

NEREUS O. ACOSTABukidnon, 1D

AURELIO M. UMALINueva Ecija, 3D

JUNIE E. CUAQuirino, LD

CELIA TAGANAS LAYUSCagayan, 2D

FRANCIS L. NEPOMUCENOPampanga, 1D

FAUSTINO G. DY IIIIsabela, 2D

JAIME C. LOPEZManila, 2D

SALACNIB F. BATERINAIlocos Sur, 1D

CONRADO M. ESTRELLA IIIPangasinan, 6D

TRINIDAD G. APOSTOLLeyte, 2D

CARLOS M. PADILLANueva Vizcaya, LD

JOSE G. SOLISSorsogon, 2D

CONSTANTINO G. JARAULACagayan de Oro, LD

NERISSA CORAZON SOON-RUIZ Cebu, 6D

CYNTHIA A. VILLARLas Piñas City, LD

HERMINIO G. TEVESNegros Oriental, 3D

GENEROSO DC. TULAGANPangasinan, 3D

ERIC D. SINGSONIlocos Sur, 2D

VICKY H. REYESBatangas, 3D

LUIS P. BERSAMIN JR.Abra, LD

MAURICIO G. DOMOGANBaguio City, LD

REYLINA G. NICOLASBulacan, 4D

CARMEN L. CARILeyte, 5D

AGAPITO A. AQUINOMakati City, 2D

ALIPIO V. BADELLES Lanao del Norte, 1D

WILLIE BUYSON VILLARAMABulacan, 2D

J. MAYO Z. ALMARIODavao Oriental, 2D

MONICO O. PUENTEVELLABacolod City, LD

ELIAS C. BULUT JR.Apayao, LD

ANTONIO V. CUENCOCebu City, 2D

FLORENCIO B. ABADBatanes, LD

DOUGLAS RA. CAGASDavao del Sur, 1D

FILOMENA “NENET” SAN JUANZamboanga del Sur, 2D

EDGAR R. ERICECaloocan City, 2D

RAFAEL P. NANTESQuezon, 1D

PERPETUO B. YLAGANRomblon, LD

GABRIELLE V. CALIZOAklan, LD

ROLANDO G. ANDAYA JR.Camarines Sur, 1D

RONALDO B. ZAMORASan Juan, LD

ERNESTO BANZAI A. NIEVAManila. 1D

VICTOR R. SUMULONGAntipolo City, LD

ARTHUR Y. PINGOY JR.South Cotabato, 2D

HERMINIA M. RAMIROMisamis Occidental, 2D

ULIRAN T. JOAQUINLaguna, 1D

OSCAR L. GOZOSBatangas, 4D

NARCISO D. MONFORTIloilo, 4D

JESLI A. LAPUSTarlac, 3D

PROSPERO S. AMATONGCompostela Valley, 2D

SOLOMON R. CHUNGALAOIfugao, LD

FELIX W.B. FUENTEBELLA Camarines Sur, 3D

HARRY C. ANGPINGManila, 3D

EMILIO C. MACIAS IINegros Oriental, 2D

ACE S. BARBERSSurigao del Norte, 2D