Press Release
June 19, 2019

Dispatch from Crame No. 538:
Sen. Leila M. de Lima on Neptali Morada's Murder; A Clear Pattern of Targetted Killings of Activists and HRDs

6/19/19

Another human rights defender (HRD) fell. On his way to work last Monday, Neptali Morada, former regional coordinator of Bayan-Bicol, was murdered. The obvious questions must be asked: Who killed him and what was the motive?

This transpired just days after two human rights workers were slain in Sorsogon, both in the same manner: organized and merciless.

Ang mga pinaslang ay mga walang pagkakasala sa batas. Kahit kinakalyo na ang tainga ng awtoridad, hindi dapat tumigil ang panawagang protektahan ang buhay at ang mga karpatang pantao at panagutin ang mga salarin. Sino itong mga umaaktong tila mga diyos para kitilin ang buhay ng mga inosenteng biktima? Bakit ang lalakas ng loob nila?

It is not taxing to the imagination to realize that these killings already follow a pattern, and what is troubling is the seeming cold response of the authorities.

When Malacañang issued Memorandum Order No. 32 in Nov. 2018 deploying more soldiers in Bicol region, Samar and Negros Island, the purported aim was to "suppress lawless violence and acts of terror". And yet, how do we explain the fact that these regions now tend to host this surge in the killing of activists and HRDs?

This is so serious a matter that the government should be reminded that civil society and the international community are aware and vigilant.

Halos 150 nang HRDs sa bansa ang napaslang sa ilalim ng administrasyong ito at ang bawat isa rito ay pananagutan ng pamahalaan.

Ang pagpaslang kay Mr. Morada ay isa na namang mapait na patunay na hindi na lamang mga mahihirap na drug addict at pusher ang target ng War on Drugs kundi pati mga Pilipinong naninindigan at lumalaban para sa karapatang pantao.

Hanggang kelan natin hahayaang maghari ang karahasan at kamatayan sa ating bayan?

(Access the handwritten copy of Dispatch from Crame No. 538, here: https://issuu.com/senatorleilam.delima/docs/dispatch_from_crame_no._538)

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