v11n0203

Days after receiving the letter, on 14 April between 6:30 to
7pm, about eight houses away from yolanda’s residence two
unidentified men on a motorcycle approached Richard Absalon,
a health worker in the Barangay. The two asked him: “Do you
know Let Pineda? where does she live?” Richard, replied, “I know
Let Pineda, but why should I tell you? I don’t even know you”.
The two men left. They were described as wearing camouflage
uniforms, civilian clothes and helmets.
At the time, yolanda had just taken part in a press conference
that the KPD and the Philippine Alliance of human Rights
Advocates had conducted. The conference was to oppose the heavy
military presence in the area. however, it was only two days later,
16 April, that Richard informed yolanda about the incident.
Story 12: Three anti-mining activists forcibly
disappeared
Victims:
1. Ronron Landingin, of Sitio Matalvis, Barangay Inhobol,
Masinloc, Zambales
2. Daryl Fortuna
3. Jinky Garcia
Alleged perpetrators: Five unidentified armed men, soldiers
attached to the 24th IB-PA, headed by Col. Wilfredo Patarata
Date of incident: 9 March 2010 at 9pm
Place of incident: Sitio Matalvis, Barangay Inhobol, Masinloc,
Zambales, Central Luzon
AHRC-UAC-076-2010; AHRC-UAU-032-2011
Five unknown persons armed with pistols reportedly entered
the house of the Landingin family in Sitio matalvis, while the
entire community was in darkness due to an electricity blackout.
They forcibly took the victims, Ronron Landingin, Jinky garcia
and Daryl Fortuna, to a waiting car. Three days later on 12
march, the villagers who personally know the victims saw them
in custody of the 24th IB-PA with their hands cuffed during a
military operation in the area. It appeared that they were being
used as guides by the soldiers. They were easily recognizable as
well known community organizers in the area. Also, one of the
witnesses was able to speak with one of the soldiers on foot patrol,
to confirm that the three persons were with them.
The army personnel were also clearly identifiable. They were in
full uniform with the nameplate “ARmy” visible. On 15 march 2010
the parents of Ronron were able to speak to him via his mobile
phone, and he told them that he believed that the soldiers had
taken him to Pangasinan, another province. They were helped at
this point by the regional office of the CHR, which has withheld
further details of the conversation until their investigation is
complete. The victim’s family filed a complaint at the CHR.
article 2 � June-Sept 2012 Vol. 11, No. 2-3
“ Failure to comply
would mean you
are not interested in
clearing your name
and it will mean a
bold forceful move
or DEATH. ” - content of the
letter that Yolanda
Pineda received.
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