HUMAN RIGHTS | Two years on, groups air outrage over lack of accountability in Bloody Sunday

March 7, 2023 , 01:40 PM

By Beatrice Puente

(March 7, 2023) – Human rights organizations on Tuesday renewed their call for accountability over the killings and arrests made during the brutal raids dubbed as Bloody Sunday two years ago as justice remains elusive for the victims and their families.

Karapatan expressed its disappointment since none of the perpetrators of the killings of nine activists in Southern Tagalog have been brought to justice up to this point.

“We stand in solidarity with the victims of Bloody Sunday and all other victims of extrajudicial killings, illegal arrest, and unjust detention. We honor them best by continuing the fight to demand accountability and relentlessly struggling for justice, and human and people’s rights,” said Karapatan.

On this day in 2021, nine trade unionists and peasant leaders died in a string of police operations in Laguna, Cavite, Batangas, and Rizal. Seven others were arrested over what groups described as trumped-up charges.

Last January, the Department of Justice (DOJ) panel of prosecutors dismissed the murder charges against 17 members of the Philippine National Police in relation to the killing of labor leader Manny Asuncion during Bloody Sunday. Asuncion’s family asked the DOJ to reconsider the decision.

“The junking by the DOJ of the murder complaint sends a chilling message that state forces can commit crimes with impunity,” said Karapatan.

Earlier today, Defend Southern Tagalog held a protest in front of the DOJ to remind the public about the violent day and to demand justice anew. It also sought an end to the killings and harassment that progressives continue to face under the administration of President Bongbong Marcos Jr.

“The targeting of legal, unarmed activists through spurious warrants and perjured testimonies continues under the current administration,” lamented the Karapatan.

Karapatan also cited the case of seven activists in Cordillera Administrative Region as proof of these persisting attacks. In January, they were tagged in an alleged ambush by the New People’s Army (NPA) that allegedly occurred last October.

Earlier today, the College Editors Guild of the Philippines reported that Arnel Buiza, a local leader of peasant group Anakpawis, was arrested from his home in Dolores, Rizal past midnight. It remains unclear what he was arrested for and where he was brought as of this writing.

“We cannot allow these violations to continue. We must demand accountability and justice for those who have been unjustly killed or persecuted,” said Karapatan.

DOJ secretary Boying Remulla has claimed that there’s no culture of impunity in the country as he trumpeted the changes they have introduced. Marcos has been criticized by cause-oriented groups for not speaking often about human rights issues.

“The victims of Bloody Sunday had been viciously red-tagged, surveilled, harassed, and intimidated prior to their killing or arrest. They had been falsely accused of being leaders or members of the CPP (Communist Party of the Philippines)-NPA and involvement in armed encounters, as if deliberately being set up for what was to occur,” added Karapatan.

(PM)

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