*URGENT APPEAL - 03/07/2009*
The Philippines
http://www.frontlinedefenders.org/node/2039
The barrel of our guns will be the last thing that you will see!
http://www.frontlinedefenders.org/node/2039
You, communists who have blood debts in the Filipino people will pay
for it!
http://www.frontlinedefenders.org/node/2039
http://www.frontlinedefenders.org/node/2039
Front Line is deeply concerned about death threats received by *Ms
Aurora Broquil,* chairperson of Kilusan para sa Pambansang Demokrasya – KPD (Movement for National Democracy) in Central Luzon; *Mr Francisco
Honra,* Secretary-General of the Nuclear Free Bataan Movement (NFBM); and* Ms Emily Fajardo,* KPD worker organiser and NFBM treasurer.
On 27 June 2009, at 9.44 am, Aurora Broquil received a direct death threat through a text message sent to her mobile phone.
The text was sent from the telephone number +639187158404 and stated “Dulo ng aming baril ang huli mong makikita! Kayong mga komunista na may mga utang na dugo sa mamamayan ay magbabayad!“ (“The barrel of our guns will be the last thing that you will see! You, communists who have blood debts in the Filipino people will pay for it!”).
A few minutes later, around 10 am, the same message from the same phone number was also sent to Emily Fajardo, while Francisco Honra had received it the day before.
Dear Friends,
Thank you for signing up to take action on behalf of human rights defenders at risk.
Every day Front Line receives information about human rights defenders
in danger and each week we ask the members of the urgent appeal network
to take action on behalf of one defender.
Action by members of the network is a very simple and effective way of
sending a message to governments that they have an obligation to respect
the rights of human rights defenders. All you have to do is either cut
and paste the letter or print out the attached version and sign and post
it off. Remember to add your own name and address. If you receive a
reply please send a copy to Head of Communications, Front Line, 81 Main
St., Blackrock Co Dublin.
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Line web site at
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difference.*
*Take Action*
Please copy the enclosed letter and send it to the address provided. You
can also print out the text only version of the letter attached, sign it
and post it off.
President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo,
Office of the President,
Malacanang Palace,
J.P. Laurel St,
San Miguel 1005,
Manila,
The Philippines
Your Excellency
I am deeply concerned about death threats received by Ms Aurora Broquil,
chairperson of Kilusan para sa Pambansang Demokrasya – KPD (Movement for
National Democracy) in Central Luzon; Mr Francisco Honra,
Secretary-General of the Nuclear Free Bataan Movement (NFBM); and Ms
Emily Fajardo, KPD worker organiser and NFBM treasurer.
On 27 June 2009, at 9.44 am, Aurora Broquil received a direct death
threat through a text message sent to her mobile phone.
The text was sent from the telephone number +639187158404 and stated “Dulo ng aming baril ang huli mong makikita! Kayong mga komunista na may
mga utang na dugo sa mamamayan ay magbabayad!“ (“The barrel of our guns
will be the last thing that you will see! You, communists who have blood
debts in the Filipino people will pay for it!”).
A few minutes later, around 10 am, the same message from the same phone
number was also sent to Emily Fajardo, while Francisco Horna had
received it the day before. The next morning, on 28 June, Aurora Broquil
was alarmed by the unusual presence of two unidentified men riding two
motorcycles, roaming several times in the vicinity of her office in
Dolores, city of San Fernando.
The three defenders were recently working on a case of arbitrary arrest
and torture of three activists from the anti-Bataan Nuclear Power Plant
and on a case of extra-judicial killing in Bataan.
Further to KPD's and NFBM's work, the first case received international
attention, while the second one was being investigated by the Commission
on Human Rights.
The Commission's findings will be published shortly and are expected to
conclude that there has been an extra-judicial killing and to identify
the perpetrators. It is believed that the work of the three defenders on
these cases may be the reason behind the death threats.
I urge the authorities in The Philippines to:
1. Carry out an immediate, thorough and impartial investigation into the
death threats that Aurora Broquil, Francisco Honra and Emily Fajardo
have received, with a view to publishing the results and bringing those
responsible to justice in accordance with international standards;
2. Take measures to ensure the physical and psychological integrity of
the three defenders mentioned above;
3. Ensure that all human rights defenders in The Philippines, carrying
out their legitimate work in the defence of human rights, are able to
operate free of restrictions and reprisals.
Yours sincerely,
NAME -------------------------
ADDRESS -------------------------
ADDRESS --------------------------
Thank you for taking action on behalf of Aurora Broquil, Francisco Honra
and Emily Fajardo.
