A coalition of human rights advocates alleges that soldiers of the Armed Forces of the Philippines abducted a farmer organizer in Laguna. The International Coalition for Human Rights in the Philippines (ICHRP) said Fhobie Matias, a member of peasant group Katipunan ng mga Samahang Magbubukid sa Timog Katagalugan, was taken to a military camp on her way to a consultation with farmers. INQUIRER FILES
MANILA, Philippines — A coalition of human rights advocates alleged that soldiers of the Armed Forces of the Philippines abducted a farmer organizer in Laguna.
The International Coalition for Human Rights in the Philippines (ICHRP) in a statement Friday said Fhobie Matias, a member of peasant group Katipunan ng mga Samahang Magbubukid sa Timog Katagalugan, was taken to a military camp on her way to a consultation with farmers.
The group added that Matias’ family said they received a message from her, asking for help, but her whereabouts remain unknown.
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ICHRP said Matias brings the number of active enforced disappearance cases to 18 under the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., following the alleged abductions of youth activists Andy Magno and Vladimir Maro in Isabela province last September.
“Her disappearance happened in the midst of increasing militarization in the Southern Tagalog region,” it added.
ICHRP cited “heightened military presence” in the disputed Lupang Ramos and Lupang Tartaria areas in Cavite. The Department of Agrarian Reform in its House budget hearing last August said it would look into the matter.
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The group also cited the detention of peasant advocates Mary Joyce Lizada and Arnulfo Aumentado in Camp Capinpin in Tanay, Rizal “without any clear charges” and without knowledge of their family nor their legal counsel.
“As we celebrate peasant month this October, ICHRP calls on the international community to strengthen its solidarity to the peasant struggle for land in the Philippines amidst worsening attacks by state forces,” the group said.