Philippines: Killing of human rights lawyers Ms Concepcion Connie Brizuela and Ms Cynthia Oquendo in Maguindanao Massacre

Front Line is deeply saddened by the murder of human rights lawyers Ms Concepcion 'Connie' Brizuela and Ms Cynthia Oquendo in the Maguindanao Massacre, which took place on 23 November 2009 in Mindanao Province. At least 57 people are reported to have been killed. Both women were members of the Union of Peoples' Lawyers in Mindanao (UPLM). Concepcion Brizuela was also UPLM's treasurer and a member of its Executive Committee.

Further Information

On Monday 23 November, Concepcion Brizuela and Cynthia Oquendo were part of a group which was travelling in convoy to Shariff Aguak, Maguindanao to file a certificate of candidacy with the Commission on Elections for Mr Esmael Mangudadatu, a candidate for governor in Maguindanao province. Esmael Mangudadatu is challenging the incumbent governor, Mr Andal Ampatuan, Sr., who has previously been described as an ally of the President of the Philippines, Mrs Gloria Arroyo.

It is believed that the convoy of Mangudadatu's supporters was stopped in a deserted part of the road by up to 100 armed men, who were reportedly led by Governor Ampatuan's son. They were led to an isolated spot in the hills where they were killed and buried in shallow graves. There are reports that the victims were shot at close range, and that many of the women were sexually assaulted. In addition to Concepcion Brizuela and Cynthia Oquendo, there are reports that a large number of journalists were killed in the massacre, perhaps 21. Esmael Mangudadatu's wife and several other family members were also amongst those killed, and it is believed that several victims may have been passers-by who witnessed the killings.

Concepcion Brizuela was a key advocate against the culture of impunity and lawlessness that has permeated in Mindanao province in recent years, and had worked on legal cases involving military officials, the police and civilian armed groups. She had been imprisoned in 2004 on charges of libel instigated by Emmanuel Piñol, a governor in North Cotabato province, and had been receiving death threats as a result of her human rights advocacy for some years.

Andal Ampatuan, Sr., a clan chief who reportedly commands a private army and until recently was seen as an ally of the Arroyo government, is emblematic of the culture of impunity and lawlessness that has led to serious human rights violations in the Philippines. President Arroyo has announced that a full-scale investigation will take place, and on 26 November 2009, it was reported that Andal Ampatuan, Jr., the incumbent governor's son, was arrested and charged by the authorities in relation to the Maguindanao Massacre.

Front Line condemns in the strongest terms the killing of Concepcion Brizuela and Cynthia Oquendo, and believes that it was directly related to their work in the defence of human rights in the Philippines, particularly against impunity and corruption. Front Line sees this as part of a pattern of ongoing harassment against human rights defenders in the Philippines, and is seriously concerned for the physical and psychological integrity and security of all activists and defenders in the region.

Front Line urges the authorities in the Philippines to:

1. Implement their commitment to carry out an immediate, impartial and thorough investigation into the killing of Concepcion Brizuela and Cynthia Oquendo and the Maguindanao Massacre, with a view to publishing the results and bringing those responsible to justice in accordance with international standards;

2. Guarantee the security and physical and psychological integrity of the families of the victims of the Maguindanao Massacre, and of all human rights defenders in the Philippines;

3. Ensure in all circumstances that 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 including judicial harassment.