REMEMBERING APO JOSE

It was a year ago today when  two motorcycle-riding assassins murdered Apo Jose Doton, 62 years old, farmer, peasant leader, friend and father not just of his two children by his wife Nanay Dominga but to all young people whose lives he has touched.

Who is Apo Jose?
Apo Jose was a farmer from San Nicolas, Pangasinan who actively campaigned against the San Roque Multi-Purpose Dam project because of its environmental and social costs.  These included economic and physical displacement of peasants and gold panners, flooding of productive fields, problems regarding irrigation. 

Despite his age and seemingly frail health, Tatang Jose, was an example of a determined servant of the people. 

He became a member of the Alyansa ng mga Magbubukid sa Gitnang Luson- Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) and the secretary general of the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (New Patriotic Alliance) – Pangasinan.

In his community, he also served as Barangay treasurer and a respected leader of different farmers organizations.He was vocal against militarization and government policies adversely affecting peasants.
 
Apo Jose is among the eight hundred fifty eight (858) victims of extrajudicial killings against activists under the Arroyo regime’s Operation Plan Bantay Laya (Freedom Watch).  His case was filed in court, was brought up with the Task Force Usig and officially filed at the United Nations Human Rights Council when Prof. Philip Alston visited the Philippines last February. One of the identified assailants in his case, Joel Flores, is in jail today.  Four court hearings were conducted From February 12 – March 26.  We join his family in hoping for appropriate punishment to be given to those who have committed the crime including those who masterminded it. 

On this day that we remember Apo Jose – his noble life and his death, we, the Cordillera Human Rights Alliance, together with the peasant organization Tignayan dagiti Mannalon a Mangwayawaya iti Agno or TIMMAWA and the Cordillera Peoples Alliance reiterate our demand for justice for Apo Jose and other victims of extrajudicial killings. 

As we press on for justice for Apo Jose, we join the family and colleagues of agriculturist Jonas Burgos, son of press freedom icon Jose Burgos, who was abducted on April 28 in broad daylight in a busy mall in Quezon City, in their demand to free Jonas  and justice be served. Jonas remains missing to this date, and has not committed any crime but train farmers groups on organic farming.

We join KARAPATAN, the families of victims of human rights violations and concerned Filipinos in urging the United Nations to set up a special tribunal to hear the cases of extrajudicial executions, disappearances and other human rights violations committed by the Arroyo regime against the Filipino people.  Justice has been elusive in Philippine society especially for the victims of human rights violations.  Not a single perpetrator has been punished.  This tribunal is of much importance to defy the culture of impunity imposed by the Arroyo government.
We also call on the United Nations Human Rights Council not to renew the Philippine government's application of its membership to the UN body tasked to oversee states' compliance to human rights treaties and covenants.  The hearing for the extension of its membership is slated tomorrow, May 17, 2007.  The Philippine government’s bloody record of extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances and other human rights violations states much of how it has complied with the treaties and covenants regarding the respect of human rights. ###

JUSTICE FOR APO JOSE!
JUSTICE FOR ALL VICTIMS OF EXTRAJUDICIAL KILLINGS!
HOLD THE ARROYO REGIME ACCOUNTABLE FOR ITS HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS!

For reference:

Imelda Tabiando, Deputy Secretary General, Cordillera Human Rights Alliance
Santos Mero, Deputy Secretary General, Cordillera Peoples Alliance

”Ang mariin kong sinasabi sa lahat ng kasapi, na walang ibang magtutulungan kundi kami sapagkat kaming mga mahihirap ang dapat manguna sa pagtutulungan.” (I always stress to all members (of Timmawa) that we only have ourselves to rely on that is why we should be the ones to be at the forefront of helping people.)

-Apo Jose Doton
(1944-2006)