Pinoys in HK offer prayers for 19 killed by military in Negros

Attendees take turns laying flowers on makeshift altar for the service Filipinos in Hong Kong offered prayers at Chater Road in Central today for the 19 people who were killed in a military operation last April 20 in Taboso, Negros Occidental. Fr. Dwight de la Torre of the Philippine Independent Church, who led the service, said: "Before the other massacres could fully be resolved and justice meted out, another massacre has occurred." He added: “Let us now remember the recent victims of state violence in our country. To forget is to prolong the regression of our people. But to remember is to hasten the process of redemption because every remembrance should be a challenge to action.” PINDUTIN ITO PARA SA DETALYE The crowd of about 100 lighted candles and offered white flowers at the table that served as altar for the service. Other speakers, who denounced the massacre and continuing human rights violations in the Philippines, included Paster Joram Calimutan of the United Church of Christ of the Philippines, and Baneng Mendez of BAYAN Hong Kong and Macau. The 19 fatalities were killed in a counter-insurgency strafing operation by the 303rd Infantry Brigade of the Philippine Army. A total of 663 Taboso residents were displaced. Basahin ang detalye! Toboso Mayor Richard Jaojoco said residents were shocked when the sporadic battles began at 4 am, spread over four barangays and ended at nearly 3 pm on April 20. The Army claimed that a wanted rebel leader -- Roger Fabillar, who had a P1-million bounty and was also known as “Kumander Arnel Tapang.” -- and at least 18 alleged members of the New People’s Army (NPA) were killed by troops of the 79th Infantry Battalion in a series of encounters. UP students protest the killing of campus activist Alyssa Alano and 18 others in Taboso It turned out later that among these were University of the Philippines Student Council Councilor Alyssa Alano and community journalist RJ Ledesma of Paghimutad, an alternative media outlet and member of the Altermidya network, who were in the area for community immersion and research into the situation of peasants. Organizations Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas and Tanggol Magsasaka likewise identified two other fatalities as advocates Maureen Keil Santuyo and Errol Wendel. In Manila, several groups picketing Camp Aguinaldo called for an independent investigation into the Taboso operation. “We want to know the truth, what really happened that day. We want a truly independent investigation into what happened because we do not believe those 19 individuals were just killed like chickens,” said Cristina Palabay, Karapatan secretary general.

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