Do not let our guards down! Fight the state’s continuing attacks on activists!

News Release

Reference: Vince Casilihan

      Karapatan-Bikol Spokesperson

November 16, 2014

“The policy of state terrorism continues, and so do the people intensify the fight against BS Aquino’s brutality and oppression.” Such is Vince Casilihan’s summarization of the human rights situation in the region, as Karapatan-Bikol condemns the most recent attack on activists.

On November 14, Antonio “Ka Tony” Salvador, a public utility jeepney driver and a respected leader of the militant transport organization PISTON, resisted his abductors as they attempted to put him in a van. The failed abduction took place at the Central Plaza Terminal in the town of Daet in Camarines Norte province. The brazen act happened at around 10 am, in full view of bystanders, passengers, and Ka Tony’s fellow drivers. With Ka Tony bravely resisting, his abductors sped away in the gray-colored van with license plate VCZ 455.

Karapatan-Bikol’s Vince Casilihan asserts that Ka Tony’s abductors are members of the state’s death squads, as they declared that they have placed Ka Tony under surveillance for a month, and have likewise threatened to arrest Ka Tony’s fellow drivers. “What is also revolting is how these state forces speak of killing in such unaffected fashion, as if murders were regular options in their menu,” Casilihan says. He refers to the pronouncement to Ka Tony by one of the failed abductors as they try to wrest him to the van: “Bakit ayaw mo’ng sumakay, hindi ka naman namin papatayin?” (Why won’t you get in (the van)? We won’t kill you.)

“Such flagrant assault on people’s rights demonstrates that there has been no letup in Oplan Bayanihan’s white terror,” says Casilihan.  “The 9^th ID Philippine Army and the Philippine National Police’ posturing on peace, human rights and international humanitarian law are all but shattered and discredited with their bloody trail of violations,” he adds.

Moreover, Casilihan censures the BS Aquino government in its reactionary approach to the people’s demands. He says, “In the face of biting hunger and loss of livelihoods, it is extremely repulsive that instead of heeding the people’s legitimate claims, Aquino sends his attack dogs to silence those who are most determined in advancing the welfare of the victims of poverty and state abandonment.”

In ending, Casilihan calls on the people to carry on, and leaves a caveat to BS Aquino and his armed forces. “Not only has the government failed in abducting and silencing a committed people’s leader. The BS Aquino regime has also beset upon itself the outrage and intensified struggle of Ka Tony, his fellow drivers, and the militant people of Camarines Norte.  The people know fully well that only through the strengthening of their ranks and heightening of their fight will they be able to bring together all the faculties in exposing and punishing a murderous regime.” ###