Press Release
January 29, 2010

ROXAS SEEKS CHR PROBE INTO KILLINGS OF LP BETS, SUPPORTERS

Liberal president Sen. Mar Roxas today appealed to the Commission on Human Rights to investigate the spate of election-related killings of Liberal Party local candidates and supporters even as he aired concerns over what he said could be a violent scheme against opposition candidates.

In his letter to CHR Chairperson Leila M. De Lima, Roxas requested for "assistance in the investigation and monitoring" of the countryside killings of LP candidates in the local level.

"As a Senator and President of the Liberal Party, I am terribly saddened and deeply alarmed by these incidents, happening as they did in the run-up leading to the May 2010 elections," Roxas, the LP vice presidential candidate, wrote in his January 28 letter.

He warned: "These murders could only be the kick-off to organized violence against opposition candidates and supporters in order to frustrate their participation and election in the people's exercise of civil and political rights, guaranteed by no less than our Constitution, as well as international covenants, treaties and laws."

He likewise asked the CHR to update him or any LP official on any developments on the investigation and to immediately inform them of any reports or news related to election violence, particularly those involving Liberal Party candidates and supporters.

"As the constitutionally-mandated independent office tasked to, among others, investigate all forms of human rights violations, including transgressions against civil and political rights through murder and violence, I have no doubts that your intervention in these election-related violence would certainly ensure that truth, fairness, and impartiality will prevail, paving the way for the prosecution of the persons responsible," he said.

The LP candidates and supporters who have been murdered in separate attacks by unidentified gunmen:

  • Motalliden Pacman "Steve" Tapodoc - LP candidate for councilor in the town of Labangan in Zamboanga del Sur;

  • Hadja Anira Abdulah Agcong - LP bet as mayor of Labangan municipality;

  • Rascal Afdal - casual employee of Labangan municipality and a known LP supporter;

  • Rose Pajente - operations manager of National Food Authority in Zamboanga del sur and a known LP supporter;

  • Bong Dizon - coordinator of the Noynoy Aquino for President Movement in Mexico, Pampanga; and

  • Atty. Connie Brizuela - LP volunteer who was among the 57 victims in the so-called Maguindanao massacre.

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