TO:
H.E. Benigno C. Aquino III President of the Republic Malacañang Palace, JP Laurel St., San Miguel Manila Philippines Voice: (+632) 564 1451 to 80 Fax: (+632) 742-1641 / 929-3968 E-mail: corres@op.gov.ph / opnet@ops.gov.ph
Sec. Teresita Quintos-Deles Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) 7th Floor Agustin Building I Emerald Avenue Pasig City 1605 Voice: (+632) 636 0701 to 066 Fax: (+632) 638 2216 E-mail: osec@opapp.gov.ph
Ret. Lt. Gen. Voltaire T. Gazmin Secretary, Department of National Defense Room 301 DND Building, Camp Emilio Aguinaldo, E. de los Santos Avenue, Quezon City Voice: (+632) 911-9281 / 911-0488 Fax: (+632) 911 6213 E-mail: osnd@philonline.com
Atty. Leila De Lima Secretary, Department of Justice Padre Faura St., Manila Direct Line: (+632) 521-8344 / 5213721 Trunkline: +(632) 523-84-81 local 214 Fax: (+632) 521-1614 E-mail: soj@doj.gov.ph
Hon. Loretta Ann P. Rosales Chairperson, Commission on Human Rights SAAC Bldg., UP Complex Commonwealth Avenue Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines Voice: (+632) 928-5655 / 926-6188 Fax: (+632) 929 0102 E-mail: chair.rosales.chr@gmail.com, lorettann@gmail.com
TO ALL CONCERNED PARTIES:
We, the undersigned, express our deep concern over the arrest of Dario Tomada. He was arrested late evening on July 22, 2010 in Biñan, Laguna by 5 unidentified men from Inteligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (ISAFP). He was brought to Camp Aguinaldo and tortured. He was blindfolded and handcuffed for 16 hours after his arrest.
In Camp Aguinaldo, he was interrogated 4 times by different military men and was forced to admit that he was a member of New People’s Army (NPA). Also, the military men pinched his chest and has caused bruises.
He is being charged of 15 counts of murder in connection with the “mass graves” allegedly discovered in Inopacan, Leyte. The same case filed against former Rep. Satur Ocampo from Bayan Muna Partylist and KMP Deputy Secretary General for External Affairs, Randall Echanis. He was detained in Camp Karingal in Quezon City and currently in prison at Manila City Jail.
Tomada is a farmer, a leader of Samahan han Gudti nga Parag-uma ha Sinirangan Bisayas (SAGUPA-SB), the regional chapter of Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) in Eastern Visayas. He was forced to leave his region on September 2006 because of the death threats he received and due to series of extra-judicial killings among activists in 2005 led by Maj. Gen. Jovito Palparan. He arrived in Manila and did odd jobs to support his family, but now he is being accused of a crime he did not commit. He was not even with any organization when the alleged crime was committed in 1985.
This case against Tomada is part of Oplan Bantay Laya, the counter-insurgency program of the past Arroyo government. We challenge the government of President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III, who promised change and democracy, to protect Tomada’s human rights against political persecution.
Tomada is a dedicated peasant leader calling for genuine land reform. He should not be in jail because of his beliefs and his dedication to fight for the peasants right to land. The charges against him has no basis and were all false accusation. WE call for his immediate and unconditional release.
FREE DARIO TOMADA!