People�s response to brazen human rights violations in Oriental Mindoro
Despite the intense terror sown by Task Force Banahaw on Mindoro island, the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN) and Bayan Muna were able to push through with a rally-demonstration attended by more than 500 persons in Calapan City. On the day of 26-year-old Edelberto "Choy" Napoles� burial on June 4, BAYAN and Bayan Muna condemned Task Force Banahaw for its heinous crimes against the people.
Napoles was the latest murder victim of the death squad formed by Task Force Banahaw led by Col. Jovito Palparan. Palparan also serves as commander of the 204th Bde based in Oriental Mindoro. Napoles was killed on May 28 in Lumangbayan, Calapan City while his companion Ruel Landicho was wounded. The perpetrators were identified as Aniano "Silver" Flores and Larry "Mike" Aparato, both traitors to the revolutionary movement and members of Palparan�s death squad.
Napoles was secretary-general of Bagong Alyansang Makabayan and a coordinator of Bayan Muna in the second district of Oriental Mindoro. Landicho is a PAMALAKAYA organizer.
Napoles is the 16th victim of the death squad and the 204th Bde�s indiscriminate killings in Oriental Mindoro. According to Bayan Muna, among the victims are Ramon Ternida, who was killed by Boyet Jocson on April 15, 2001; Lando Cabagay who was shot by CAFGU elements on October 6, 2001; Roger Fernando who was killed by elements of the 6th Special Force Company on April 8, 2001; Emilio Santillan, Expedito and Manuela Albarillo, who were slain by soldiers of the 16th IB on April 8; and Ruben Apolinar and Rodriga Florida-Apolinar, who were killed by elements of the 52nd Regional Command Company of the 204th Bde on May 21.
Bayan Muna demanded that the Macapagal-Arroyo regime file a criminal case against Colonel Palparan and the 204th Bde because of the series of murders perpetrated by the brigade and the death squad under its custody. Meanwhile, the Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) threatened on May 22 to file a class suit against Task Force Banahaw if it does not terminate the rabid military operations in the whole island of Mindoro. The KMP said it would convince the families of all victims of human rights violations, particularly the families of 15 civilians massacred in Naujan, Oriental Mindoro on May 16 to join in filing the case.
The KMP holds Col. Jovito Palparan directly responsible for widespread violations of human rights. The KMP, its regional organization in Southern Tagalog and other local organizations in the region have filed a complaint with the Department of Interior and Local Government. They have also demanded that Defense Secretary Angelo Reyes and new AFP chief Lt. Gen. Roy Cimatu put an immediate stop to military operations on the island.
| 
