The widow of a murdered Negros peasant leader has filed charges before the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) over her husband’s killing and for alleged harassment.
Militant group Karapatan said on Thursday that Lorena Tecson, wife of alleged extrajudicial killing victim and fisher folk leader Alberto Tecson, filed the case with the CHR after she received a notice from local police to appear at the station.
Alberto was the chairman of the Pamalakaya-Guihulngan and leader of Nagkahiusang Mag-uuma ug Mangingisda sa Bulado.
According to Karapatan, Alberto was gunned down in his home by suspected troops under the 79th Infantry Battalion the night after he joined the protest rally on Duterte’s 2nd State of the Nation Address.
“This is part of our pursuit for justice and accountability. We have reason to believe that the killing of Tecson is state-perpetrated, and we are filing these complaints to prompt and exhort the CHR to [launch an investigation],” said Karapatan Legal counsel Maria Sol Taule.
Meanwhile, militant group Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) wanted an “immediate and independent” investigation into the “massacre” of eight Lumad farmers on December 3.
KMP said on Thursday that T’boli Manobo farmers were killed after defending their lands in Barangay Ned, Lake Sebu in North Cotabato by combined forces of 27th and 33rd IBPA.
According to the statement, the Armed Forced of the Philippines “wrongfully accused” Datu Victor Danyan, Victor Danyan Jr., Artemio Danyan, Pato Celardo, Samuel Angkoy, To Diamante, Bobot Lagase, and Mateng Bantal of conspiring with a rebel group to justify the massacre.
According to KARAPATAN-Socsargen, T’boli and Manobos in South Cotabato and Sultan Kudarat have left their residences due to military operations. In Sitio Panamin, Brgy. Sumilil, Bagumbayan in Sultan Kudarat, more than 80 individuals, mostly children have evacuated. In Sitio Polosobong, Barangay Ned, Lake Sebu in South Cotabato, an estimate of 100 individuals have also evacuated.