Mr Jimmy Liguyon

On 30 April 2012, Presiding Judge of Branch 10 of Malaybalay City Regional Trial Court, Josefina Gentiles Bacal, issued an arrest warrant for the killing of HRD and indigenous leader Mr Jimmy Liguyon.

The arrest warrant was issued for Alde Salusad alias “Butchoy”, who remains at large. Bail for release has not been recommended by the judge.

Jimmy Liguyon was shot dead outside his home in Barangay Dao on 5 March 2012. He was the Vice Chairperson of Kasilo, an organisation of Indigenous Peoples from the southern municipalities of Bukidon. Jimmy Liguyon was also the Barangay Captain of Dao, and in this capacity had refused to sign agreements with mining companies allowing them access to operate on the ancestral lands of Indigenous Peoples.

While Front Line Defenders welcomes the arrest warrant issued, it reiterates its calls on the authorities in the Philippines to conduct an immediate, thorough and impartial investigation into the killing of Jimmy Liguyon, with a view to publishing the results and to bringing those responsible to justice in accordance with international standards.

Front Line Defenders also urges the authorities to take all necessary measures to guarantee the physical and psychological integrity and security of human rights defenders working in the defence of land rights and the rights of Indigenous Peoples in Barangay Dao; and to guarantee in all circumstances that all human rights defenders in the Philippines are able to carry out their legitimate human rights activities without fear of reprisals and free of all restrictions.

For more information on this case, please see Front Line Defenders' appeal dated 15 March 2012: http://www.frontlinedefenders.org/node/17747.

You can find additional information on the situation for human rights Defenders in Philippines. HERE