Another Woman Leader Shot Dead in Bataan
KPD Groups Raises Alarm over All-out Liquidation Policy vs. Progressives Where Almost 6 Activists are Killed Every Month

Another defender of people’s rights and freedom was killed yesterday.

Annaliza Abanador-Gandia, 35 years old, a mother to 2 children and married to farmer organizer, a leader of the Pagkakaisa ng Kababaihan (Kaisa Ka) women’s group and member of Kilusan para sa Pambansang Demokrasya (KPD), was gunned down around 4-5pm late yesterday, May 18, at her workplace at Balanga City in Bataan.

Witnesses say they last saw Abanador-Gandia alive when 2 men alighted from a motorcycle and entered the Duckie Shop, where Anna works as as a clerk. Shots were then heard. Ana was found dead with 4 bullet wounds, 2 at the head and 2 in the body.

The Kilusan para sa Pambansang Demokrasya (KPD), a national political organization engaged in the struggle for political and democratic rights and sectoral issues, condemns the intensifying all-out liquidation policy via extra-judicial killings being waged against leaders of legitimate people’s organization, especially in Central Luzon where some 50 leaders where killed since late last year.

The pattern of killings by armed motorcycle men are also present in the earlier killings of KPD leaders in Central Luzon. Anna is the 5th KPD leader killed since December 2005 where Kathy Alcantara (Bataan), Audie Lucero (Bataan), Tony Adriales (Pampanga) and Remus Maglasang (Negros Occidental) were also gunned down by armed men perceived to be from the military.

Despite statements from Malacanang, the Arroyo government continue to be inutile in stopping the intensifying extra-judicial killings of progressive leaders nationwide where over 6 leaders were killed since last week, in just a span of 10 days.

KPD claims this annihilation of any and all forms of opposition reveals democracy and freedom under the Arroyo regime a farce. All laws and democratic institution are absurd guarantees.

KPD condemned GMA’s policy of political repression, exemplified in the Calibrated Pre-emptive Response and in the declaration of State of National Emergency and its concomitant suppression of civil liberties as it provides the climate for flagrant violations of the people’s right to life and free expression. Human rights violators are encouraged to continue on with their dastardly deeds because they are being rewarded with promotions and juicy posts in the government. Palparan, the most notorious of the violators, has been amply rewarded and protected.

KPD vowed it will not rest until the perpetrators of this heinous crime is punished. Central Luzon has had a prominent place in history with its long and glorious record of democratic and nationalist struggles to its credit, the people of Central Luzon will not be cowed into fear.

Justice for Anna! Justice for all victims of extra-judicial killings!