Front Line is deeply saddened to learn of the recent killings of Mr Datu Alvie Binungkasan and Mr Rico Badbaran in Mindanao province, Philippines. Datu Alvie Binungkasan was shot in his home on the evening of 20 November 2009, and Rico Badbaran was killed on 24 November.

Further Information

Both Datu Alvie Binungkasan and Rico Badbaran were indigenous activists working on land rights issues for the Lumad people who continue to protest against large-scale mining operations and the expansion of plantations, as well as militarization in the region.

On 20 November 2009, at approximately 7.00 pm, Datu Alvie Binungkasan was shot dead while he was cooking dinner for his family in his home in Barangay Malinao, Gingoog City. His wife and eight children were present at the time, but survived without physical injury. Datu Alvie Binungkasan suffered gunshot wounds to his chest and the left side of his mouth. His killers were two unidentified men who are believed to be members of the Task Force Gantangan, a paramilitary group organized by the state armed forces which incorporates local paramilitary groups. Datu Alvie Binungkasan was a council member of the indigenous peoples' organisation Pig-akuman (Pigbawangan Ku Kumadon Ha Madagway, roughly translated as “Bound by Good Deeds”). Pig-akuman is an affiliate of Kalumbay, a farmers' organisation working under the services of the Rural Missionaries of the Philippines. Members of Pig-akuman have recently reported that they are under surveillance with members noting unidentified individuals following them to their homes.

On 24 November 2009 at approximately 8.00 am, Rico Badbaran was killed in Sitio Tabon-Tabon while on his way to his farm in San Luis, Agusan del Sur. His killers were unidentified men, believed to be members of the Bungkatol Liberation Front (BULIF), a local paramilitary group which is allegedly linked to Task Force Gantangan. Rico Badbaran's wife and three children have since gone into hiding.

Rico Badbaran is a relative of Datu Mansubaybay Badbaran of Tagdumahan, another Kalumbay affiliate, who was killed by paramilitaries on 28 September 2009. Since that date, Datu Mansubaybay's wife, children, father and extended family have received direct threats, been under surveillance, and have had to repeatedly change address. Front Line reported the death of Datu Mansubaybay and the ongoing threats against his family members on 18 November 2009. Rico Badbaran himself was repeatedly followed by unidentified men prior to his killing.

It is reported that the entire organization of Tagdumahan is facing serious security problems. Many of Tagdumahan's active members have received death threats from Task Force Gantangan. Elements of BULIF, usually equipped with short firearms, have visited Tagdumahan officers and members in their homes late at night, and ordered them to “lie low” or stop participating actively in the organization.

Kalumbay has also been placed under surveillance. Its regional office in Cagayan de Oro City frequently receives calls from unknown persons and suspicious-looking vehicles are regularly noticed parked in the vicinity of the offices. Neighbours of the office have been asked by unidentified men about the activities of the office. Kalumbay recently launched a publicity campaign against development aggression and human rights violations in the Lumad areas of the Region.

Front Line condemns in the strongest terms the killing of Datu Alvie Binungkasan and Rico Badbaran, and the ongoing harassment and intimidation of their families and indigenous activists in the region. Front Line believes that this forms part of an ongoing campaign of harassment against human rights defenders in Mindanao which is directly related to their work in the defence of human rights, in particular land rights. Front Line is seriously concerned for the physical and psychological security and integrity of the families of the victims, of members of Lumad organisations, and of all human rights defenders in the region.

Front Line urges the authorities in the Philippines to:

1. Carry out an immediate, impartial and thorough investigation into the killings of Datu Alvie Binungkasan and Rico Badbaran, and into the threats against their families and against Pig-akuman, Tagdumahan and Kalumbay organisations, 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 all members of Pig-akuman, Tagdumahan and Kalumbay, with a particular view to providing for the security of the families of Datu Mansubaybay, Datu Alvie Binungkasan and Rico Badbaran;

3. Ensure that all human rights defenders in the Philippines, carrying out their legitimate work in the defence of human rights, are able to operate free of restrictions and reprisals.