Church leaders, advocates say human rights ‘deteriorating’ in Visayas

Ryan Macasero

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Church leaders, advocates say human rights ‘deteriorating’ in Visayas
Catholic priest Jose Bagadiong says basic rights are deteriorating on all fronts in the region

CEBU CITY, Philippines – Human rights has deteriorated in the Visayas, human rights defenders and leaders from the Catholic Church said here on Tuesday, December 10. 

“It’s deteriorating on all fronts,” Fr. Jose Bagadiong, a Catholic priest of the Society of the Divine Word, told Rappler on the sidelines of Task Force Detainees of the Philippines’ Human Rights Day event in Cebu City.

Abuse rampant

“Not just killings, but environmental [rights], socio-economic [rights], cultural rights, the rights violations are comprehensive,” the Cebu City-based priest added.

According to a report from TDFP, from the beginning of 2018 to December 2019, they recorded 104 documented cases of human rights violations.

Of those violations, 31 were cases of “alleged harassment, intimidation and vilification” against human rights workers. The other 58 were linked to the government’s drug war campaign, while 15 were allegedly politically motivated killings. “Of course, this is not all of them, but the victims who were willing to come forward,” Fr. Christian Buenafe, chairperson of TDFP said.

KILLINGS. Human rights advocates call for the stop of human rights abuses in the region. Photo by Ryan Macasero/Rappler

In February 2019, the CHR said the Central Visayas had the 4th highest number of drug-linked killings in the country.  (READ: 
Killings in Cebu rise as mayor, cops feud)

Nationwide, human rights organizations say at least 29,000 people have been killed since 2016 in the government’s campaign against illegal drugs, although the government only recognizes 6,600.

“Things got especially violent here after Executive Order 32 and 70,” Buenafe said.

EO 32, signed in November 2018, ordered an increase in the number of military troops in conflict-prone areas like the Bicol region, Samar and Negros Island. (READ: Duterte orders more soldiers, cops in Bicol, Samar, Negros Island)

EO 70 was signed in December 2018 and adopts the “whole of nation” approach in addressing armed conflict. 

Negros killings

This means that the policy acknowledges conflict should not be addressed only with a military and police solution, but through socio-economic reforms. However, observers in the region say that military action still has been the focus of the government’s anti-communist campaign.

“There were at least 63 documented persons killed since then [EO 32 and 70],” Negros Occidental-based Edwin Lopez also of TDFP said. “These are mostly farmers, some are lawyers, doctors, educators and some are human rights defenders connected with sectoral organizations,” he added. 

Rappler recorded at least 15 killings in Negros within the span of one week between July 18 and 25.(READ: NEGROS ORIENTAL BLOODSHED: State-sponsored or insurgency-related?)

Since the killings began to spike in Negros in July, 4 Catholic bishops on the island ordered all parishes to toll their bells until the killings stop. 

San Carlos Bishop Gerardo Almanza said in a statement that the bells will continue to ring in Negros as the advent season begins. “We ring the bells each evening in Negros as a reminder that life he sacred,” he said. “We wish to shake the conscience of those carrying out dastardly death operations commanded from above.”

Almanza also called for the resumption of peace talks and for the release of 70-year-old National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) consultant Frank Fernandez, who was arrested last March 25 in Laguna.

“The killings must stop. The disappeared [must] surface. Political prisoners [must be] released,” the Negros bishop said. He added: “We must dare to strive to a new dawning where peace and justice thrive. Like God’s people of old, we keep watch and hope that God’s saving grace will encompass us again, and we will be pulled toward a future truly based on justice, righteousness and peace.” – Rappler.com

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Nobuhiko Matsunaka

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Ryan Macasero

Ryan covers social welfare for Rappler. He started at Rappler as social media producer in 2013, and later took on various roles for the company: editor for the #BalikBayan section, correspondent in Cebu, and general assignments reporter in the Visayas region. He graduated from California State University, East Bay, with a degree in international studies and a minor in political science. Outside of work, Ryan performs spoken word poetry and loves attending local music gigs. Follow him on Twitter @ryanmacasero or drop him leads for stories at ryan.macasero@rappler.com