Human Rights Watch: Ali Macalintal slay mirrors risk activists face

Ali Macalintal —RPN GENERAL SANTOS CITY PHOTO

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY–Human Rights Watch (HRW) has called on the government to thoroughly probe the killing of transgender woman Ali Macalintal as it hinted the attack could be linked to her long association with leftist groups.

Macalintal, 39, was gunned down on June 23 inside her massage and spa clinic in Barangay Lagao, General Santos City.

“Ali Macalintal’s murder is a brutal reminder that engaging in any kind of activism in the Philippines carries grave risks,” said Carlos Conde, HRW’s senior Asia researcher.

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“Strong government action is needed to put an end to the targeting of Filipino activists. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. needs to demonstrate his commitment to human rights by ensuring justice for Macalintal and other victims of abuses,” Conde added.

HRW noted that Macalintal was a longtime advocate for LGBT rights, as well as the rights of Muslim Filipinos and indigenous peoples in Mindanao. She served as deputy secretary general of the human rights group Karapatan in the Soccsksargen region and also previously worked as media liaison for the leftist group Bagong Alyansang Makabayan.

`Political activism’

The authorities should fully and impartially investigate whether Macalintal’s killing was motivated by her political activism or her gender identity, HRW said.

HRW also noted that in 2002, when she was a member of activist group Bayan Muna, Macalintal and two other Moros were arrested for allegedly taking part in the bombing of a department store in General Santos City in which 15 people were killed. They spent eight years in police detention before a court ruled in 2010 that the evidence submitted by the authorities was inadmissible.

Macalintal had alleged that they were mistreated and tortured while in detention.

After her release, Macalintal continued her activism despite the threats she faced, HRW said, noting that Karapatan was informed of alleged harassment against her by security forces last year.

“She was never afraid to speak truth to power and expose uncomfortable truths,” said Reyna Valmores Salinas, spokesperson for LGBT rights group Bahaghari. /mr