PHILIPPINES: Urgent Action: A “Dumagat” tribal member was abducted by unidentified armed persons believed to be affiliated with the military   

Type of Violation: Enforced Disappearance

Victim: Rodiemer “Demer” Dela Cruz Morada

Date and Time of Incident: August 23, 2011, 9:00am

Alleged Perpetrators: Unidentified armed persons believed to be members of the military

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Account of the Incident

Rodiemer “Demer” Dela Cruz Morada, 20, of Barangay Bonifacio, Municipality of Burdeos, Province of Quezon, was abducted on August 23, 2011 at around 9:00am and is still missing until now. According to his mother Gina Morada, four (4) persons, all carrying long firearms went to his house and talked with Demer. They asked him if he could accompany them to the nearby sitio of Pegitna of Brgy. Rizal. At first Gina was hesitant to allow Demer to go with the unidentified persons since they were armed. But eventually Gina let her son go with the group without knowing that this will be the last time she will see him.

Gina has no knowledge about the identities of the said persons. But based on her recollection, she noticed that all of them were wearing black shirts, military boots and had short hair.

Demer and the four armed men stayed at the house of May Gloria in Pegitna where they met with another group of 6 armed men. At 12:00 noon a child spotted Demer with the armed men apparently drinking liquor outside the house of May.(May explained to Gina whom she met later at Brgy. Bonifacio that the bottles contained vinegar.)

About 5:00 PM the armed group with Demer were already in Bagasbas, still belonging to sitio Pegitna. This was the community where the Dumagats live. Narciso Buendicho talked with them. He saw Demer with them but thought that he was just socializing with them.

Before sunset, Demer went to the house of his uncle, Samuel Dela Cruz and aunt Geralyn dela Curz to chew beetle nut. Since there were armed men that followed him immediately, Demer said in a low voice that his companions were military men and that they were taking him with them. At about twilight time Jimmy dela Cruz, the tribal chieftain of the community, talked with armed men too.

At around 2:00 am on August 24, 2011, Samuel saw Demer accompanied by approximately ten (10) armed persons board a motor boat. Samuel did not know the group’s destination.   Before these incidents happened, witnesses said that the four (4) unidentified armed persons stayed overnight in Barangay Bonifacio at the house of Danny and Lanie who were neighbors of the Moradas.

Demer was last seen wearing yellow green sleeveless shirt, cream corduroy short pants and blue rubber sandals.

Action Requested

Please write to the authorities in the Philippines urging them to:

1. Call upon competent authorities to carry out a prompt, effective, thorough, independent and impartial investigation into the abduction of Rodiemer “Demer” Dela Cruz Morada, and ensure that adequate, effective and prompt rehabilitation and assistance is granted to the victim’s family;

2. Immediately organize and conduct a search operation in search of the victim;

3. To strictly observe and comply with the Republic Act No. 8371 also known as the Indigenous Peoples Rights Act of 1997, which is a law to recognize, protect and promote the rights of indigenous cultural communities;

4. To strictly observe and comply with the International Humanitarian Law (IHL) which recognizes and establishes protection of civilians not belonging to armed forces or armed groups. The military should ensure that civilians under the power of enemy forces must be treated humanely in all circumstances, without any adverse distinction. They must be protected against all forms of violence and degrading treatment;

5. Guarantee the respect of human rights and the fundamental freedoms in accordance with international human rights standards.

Please send your letters to:

1. His Excellency Benigno Simeon Aquino III

President

Republic of the Philippines Malacanang Palace

JP Laurel Street , San Miguel Manila 1005 Philippines

Fax: +63 2 736 1010 Tel: +63 2 735 6201 / 564 1451 to 80

Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it / This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

2. Hon. Leila M. De Lima Secretary,

Department of Justice (DOJ)

Padre Faura Street  Ermita, Manila, 1000 Philippines

Fax: +63 2 523 9548 Tel: + 63 2 521 1908