of the Philippines the criminal justice system is - Article 2

one of the gunmen came close to the van’s door, she noticed that
he was Mamay Guimalan, a member of military intelligence.
The gunmen then ran away immediately.
Jemias and Marilou were sent to Misamis Occidental
Provincial Hospital in Oroquieta City. Jemias died soon after,
while his wife received treatment at the hospital. The
perpetrators are still at large.
The couple had been actively involved in human rights work
in the region. In particular, Jemias was an active member of
the Gloria Step Down Movement in Misamis Occidental and the
provincial chairman of the Bayan Muna party.
Gerardo Cristobal: Attacked by police and gunman
Labour leader Gerardo Cristobal was in a car on a crowded
street in Barangay Anabu, Coastal, Imus, Cavite on 28 April 2006.
He was going for a protest when three armed men in hoods riding
in another car, blocked his way and attacked him. Cristobal had
a licenced gun with him, which he had obtained after threats on
his life from one of the three men who was later identified as
Larry Reyes, a personal bodyguard of Vice-Mayor Manny Maliksi
of Imus, Cavite—son of the governor. An exchange of gunfire
took place between Cristobal and one of his attackers, wounding
both of them.
After the shooting the gunmen fled, while a motorcycle trishaw
driver took Cristobal back to his house and then on to the Pilar
Hospital for treatment for serious gunshot wounds to his stomach,
hip and hand.
The person whom Cristobal shot was admitted to the same
hospital. He was identified as Senior Police Officer 1 Romeo Lara,
a member of police intelligence in Imus, Cavite. SPO1 Lara
suffered gunshot wounds to his head and shoulder. However, in
an interview on local radio station dzRH, Colonel Rodel Sermonia,
head of the intelligence operatives in Imus accused Cristobal of
attacking Lara, not vice versa. Another person identified as being
involved was Larry Reyes, a member of the Civilian Security
Unit (CSU) in Imus; the third person remained in the vehicle
that blocked Cristobal’s way.
Later in the afternoon, Cristobal was transferred to San Juan
de Dios Hospital in Paranaque City, Metro Manila. Cristobal’s
relatives, who were with him at the hospital, were concerned by
the presence of Special Weapons and Tactics personnel from Imus
at the hospital.
One count of frustrated murder and two counts of attempted
murder were filed against Cristobal before the Office of the
Provincial Prosecutor in Imus, Cavite on April 28. Superintendent
Efren Castro, the Imus police chief, claimed that Lara and his
two companions were on their way to an anti-illegal drugs
operation when the shooting took place. The charges against
Cristobal were dismissed months later, but his alleged attackers
are still at large.
44
VICTIM: Gerardo Cristobal
INCIDENT: Attempted killing
ALLEGED PERPETRATORS:
SPO1 Romeo Lara
(intelligence), Larry Reyes of
Civil Security Unit (SCU) and
one unidentified companion
DATE: 28 April 2006
AHRC UA-142-2006
article 2 • February 2007 Vol. 6, No. 1 59