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Philippines: Murder of human rights defender Father Fausto Tentorioposted on: 2011/10/21

On 17 October 2011, human rights defender Father Fausto Tentorio was murdered at the Mother of Perpetual Help Church in Arakan, North Cotabato. Father Fausto Tentorio was an Italian priest associated with the Pontifical Mission for Foreign Missions. Father Fausto Tentorio had been advocating for the rights of indigenous peoples and peasants in the region for many years.

Philippines: Six human rights defenders go into hiding in relation to the murder of Linundigan Director and his nephewposted on: 2011/10/14

On 11 October 2011, six leading members of Linundigan, an indigenous peoples organisation operating in the Philippine province of Agusan del Sur, went into hiding as they were facing imminent risks of being targeted by paramilitary forces.

Philippines: Three human rights defenders shot and others beaten as private guards violently disperse peaceful protest posted on: 2011/06/15

On 14 June 2011 private guards employed by Central Mindanao University (CMU) opened fire and beat protestors who had set up camp outside the university in Dologan, Maramag, Bukidnon in the southern Philippines. Human rights defenders Messrs Billy Jardin, Gregorio Santillan and Larry de Vera received gunshot wounds and Messrs Wenni Loable, José Benemerito and Ms Marilou Portin were seriously injured. The protestors were members of Buffalo-Tamaraw-Limus– (BTL) Farmer's Association and BTL Women's Association. BTL is an umbrella organisation of the three local peasant groups Buffalo,Tamarawa and Limus. They have tilled the lands inside CMU for over thirty years and have been protesting against the forcible eviction from these lands.

Philippines: Ongoing campaign of intimidation against human rights defenders Ms Emerita Lor, Ms Gloria Jandayan and Ms Julieta Casinilloposted on: 2011/06/10

Following an ongoing campaign of intimidation against members of its staff Ms Emerita Lor, Ms Gloria Jandayan and Ms Julieta Casinillo. Community-Based Health Services-Northern Mindanao Region (CBHS-NMR) in the Philippines has been forced to close its offices temporarily since 2 June 2011.

Philippines: Human rights defender Mr Temogen Sahipa Tulawie in hiding amid fears of unfair trial in Suluposted on: 2010/11/09

Human rights defender Mr Temogen Sahipa Tulawie has spent one year in hiding amid fears that he will not be afforded due process or permitted access to a fair trial in the province of Sulu.

Philippines: Legal proceedings against human rights defender Mr Kelly Muñez Delgadoposted on: 2010/06/22

A series of charges have been brought against human rights defender Mr Kelly Muñez Delgado in the Southern Mindanao Region of the Philippines.

Philippines: Killing of indigenous human rights defenders Mr Datu Alvie Binungkasan and Mr Rico Badbaranposted on: 2009/12/02

Front Line is deeply saddened to learn of the recent killings of Mr Datu Alvie Binungkasan and Mr Rico Badbaran in Mindanao province, Philippines. Datu Alvie Binungkasan was shot in his home on the evening of 20 November 2009, and Rico Badbaran was killed on 24 November.

Philippines: Killing of human rights lawyers Ms Concepcion Connie Brizuela and Ms Cynthia Oquendo in Maguindanao Massacreposted on: 2009/11/26

Front Line is deeply saddened by the murder of human rights lawyers Ms Concepcion 'Connie' Brizuela and Ms Cynthia Oquendo in the Maguindanao Massacre, which took place on 23 November 2009 in Mindanao Province. At least 57 people are reported to have been killed. Both women were members of the Union of Peoples' Lawyers in Mindanao (UPLM). Concepcion Brizuela was also UPLM's treasurer and a member of its Executive Committee.

Philippines: Assassination of human rights defender Mr Datu Badbaran and continuing threats against his familyposted on: 2009/11/18

Front Line is deeply saddened to report that on 28 September 2009, human rights defender Mr Aladino “Datu Mansubaybay” A. Badbaran was killed in an ambush by unidentified armed men in Barangay Balit, San Luis, Agusan del Norte in the Philippines. His wife, Mrs Demesia Badbaran, received a gunshot wound to the shoulder during the attack.

The Philippines: Death threats against human rights defenders, Ms Aurora Broquil, Mr Francisco Honra, and Ms Emily Fajardoposted on: 2009/06/29

Front Line is deeply concerned about death threats received by Ms Aurora Broquil, chairperson of Kilusan para sa Pambansang Demokrasya – KPD (Movement for National Democracy) in Central Luzon; Mr Francisco Honra, Secretary-General of the Nuclear Free Bataan Movement (NFBM); and Ms Emily Fajardo, KPD worker organiser and NFBM treasurer.

The Philippines: Detention and torture of human rights defenders Mr Rafael Limcumpao, Mr Domingo Alcantara and Mr Archie Bathan posted on: 2009/06/15

Front Line is deeply concerned following reports of the arbitrary arrest, detention and torture of the human rights defenders Mr Archie Bathan, Mr Rafael Limcumpao and Mr Domingo Alcantara, in Samal, Bataan on 27 May 2009.

Philippines: Violent dispersal of peaceful protesters celebrating World Teachers' Day in Manilaposted on: 2008/10/22

Front Line is deeply concerned following reports of the violent dispersal of members of the teachers'union, Action and Solidarity for the Empowerment of Teachers (ASSERT), during a peaceful demonstration aimed at celebrating World Teachers' Day on 5 October 2007. Further concern is expressed about the lack of governmental response regarding accusations of police misconduct.

The Philippines: Alleged enforced disappearance of human rights defender, James M Balao,posted on: 2008/09/26

Front Line is deeply concerned following reports of the alleged enforced disappearance of human rights defender James M. Balao on 17 September 2008. James M. Balao is a member of the Cordillera Peoples Alliance (CPA), an independent group of non-governmental organisations in the Cordillera Region. CPA works to promote democracy and protect the rights of indigenous peoples.

The Philippines: Death threats against human rights defender Kelly Muñez Delgadoposted on: 2008/06/18

Front Line is deeply concerned following reports that human rights defender Kelly Muñez Delgado has received death threats and is reportedly under constant surveillance. Kelly Muñez Delgado is Secretary General of the KARAPATAN Alliance for the Advancement of People's Rights in the Southern Mindanao Region of the Philippines. His work as a human rights defender has involved responding quickly to reports of human rights violations, in particular those perpetrated by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) against indigenous peoples and farmers.

Philippines: Killing of human rights defender Celso Pojasposted on: 2008/05/19

Front Line is deeply concerned following reports that human rights defender Celso Pojas was shot dead on 15 May 2008 outside the offices of the Farmers Association in Davao City (FADC). Celso Pojas was Secretary General of the FADC. He had spoken out against militarisation in indigenous communities and worked to defend the land rights of farmers and indigenous people in the Philippines.