of the Philippines the criminal justice system is - Article 2

After the attackers left in two service vans, Elsa and her
children returned. She saw that her husband was seriously
wounded and dying. In fact, Florencio had suffered 47 gunshot
wounds.
An hour later, two vans carrying armed men in military
uniforms arrived. They asked the victim’s family and villagers
what had happened. After taking pictures of the victim and his
house, they left.
On 7 April 2006, a local newspaper reported the death as having
occurred due to crossfire between the New People’s Army and
elements of the 36th Infantry Battalion, Philippine Army led by
Captain Bungcarawan. The report clearly contradicts the victim’s
family’s account.
Florencio was an active supporter of political party Bayan Muna
in the 2004 elections. He was vocal on various peasant issues in
his community.
53
VICTIMS:
1. Liezelda Estorba-Cuñado
(killed)
2. Gerry Cuñado (wounded)
INCIDENT: Killing
ALLEGED PERPETRATOR:
Joel Bayron, suspected
member of Barangay
Intelligence Network under
15th IB
DATE: 3 April 2006
AHRC UA-118-2006
54
VICTIMS:
1. Agnes Abelon (killed)
2. Amante Abelon Jr. . (killed)
3. Amante Abelon
(wounded)
INCIDENT: Killing
ALLEGED PERPETRATORS:
Unidentified gunmen
DATE: 20 March 2006
AHRC UA-107-2006
66
Liezelda Estorba-Cuñado:
Shot by neighbour after being labelled communist
Liezelda “Inday” Estorba-Cuñado (30) and her husband Gerry
(30) were awakened at dawn on 3 April 2006 in Panadtaran,
Candijay, Bohol, by their neighbour Joel Bayron and his wife.
They were shouting in front of their house, and yelling that the
Cuñados were communists and terrorists. They also accused
Gerry and Liezelda of throwing rocks at their house the night
before.
Gerry suggested that the Bayrons should solve this problem
later in the morning because they were disturbing the neighbours.
Joel left with his wife, but ten minutes later they both returned
and Joel was carrying a gun. He shot Gerry in the arm, and shot
Liezelda at close range in her chest before fleeing.
Other neighbours immediately sent Gerry and Liezelda to the
municipal hospital. Liezelda was declared dead on arrival. Gerry
was later transferred to the Provincial Hospital for treatment.
The local police arrested Joel’s wife, but Joel remains at large.
He is reportedly a member of the Barangay Intelligence Network
handled by the 15th Infantry Battalion, Philippine Army, which
had publicly labelled the couple as communists and terrorists;
Liezelda had been a staff member of the Gabriela Women’s Party.
Agnes & Amante Abelon: Mother and child embrace in
death
Peasant leader Amante Abelon (42), his wife Agnes (30) and
their 5-year-old son Amante Jr. were attacked by armed men
while riding a motorcycle on their way home on 20 March 2006.
The Abelon family was passing a road from the town of Castillejos,
on their way to Palayan. When they reached the unpopulated
area of Sitio Mauao, Barangay San Isidro, armed men riding in a
dark-colored vehicle opened fire on them. Amante was hit in
different parts of his body, but he managed to run for safety while
his wife and son were left behind.
article 2 • February 2007 Vol. 6, No. 1