Stop the Killings in Negros
August 9, 2019
Dear Friends and Compatriots,
Peace be with you!
In line with the various initiatives to help put a stop to the surge in killings in Negros Island, we would like to solicit your signature for the attached urgent appeal titled “Stop the Killings in Negros.”
We hope to gather the broadest range of concerned citizens to sign on to the appeal which we will to send to all parties and individuals who can act to stop to the carnage.
Your help will be very much appreciated especially by the people of Negros who have suffered enough.
Hoping for your positive response, we remain,
Respectfully yours,
Stop the Killings in Negros
An urgent appeal
A bloodbath is now happening in Negros.
In less than a week, from July 23-July 28, 15 civilians were killed by unidentified vigilantes in Negros Oriental following the July 18 ambush of four policemen by the New People’s Army (NPA).
Prior to this, last March 30, 14 civilians were killed in coordinated operations by the Philippine National Police (PNP) and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in Canlaon City and the towns of Manjuyod and Sta. Catalina.
Human rights groups have reported at least 87 killings of unarmed civilians in Negros since the government intensified its campaign against suspected rebels and their alleged front organizations in 2017.
This cannot go on. The killings must stop.
In solidarity with the people of Negros, we urgently call for the following:
• An impartial and independent investigation on the facts, circumstance and underlying causes of the surge in killings so that the perpetrators are identified and brought to justice. Such an investigation cannot be simply left to the PNP and AFP who have been implicated in the killings;
• For Pres. Rodrigo Duterte to stop inciting the PNP, AFP and even firefighters to kill more in retaliation for alleged rebel atrocities, leading to even more indiscriminate killings and exacerbating the spiral of violence;
• For the government and the CPP-NPA-NDFP to resume the peace talks so that a stand down can be negotiated leading to a de-escalation of armed conflict and reduction of the climate of fear enveloping the province. The talks should address the roots of the armed conflict without resorting to all- out war and its ensuing human rights violations.
We likewise call on all Filipinos to help stop the bloodbath in Negros. Let us be steadfast in upholding human rights and dignity. Let us resist martial law and similar measures that would only worsen the situation.
Together, let us achieve peace and justice through dialogue and the highest respect for human life.
