Case History: Honey May Suazo
For several months human rights defender Ms Honey May Suazo has been the target of continuous harassment and surveillance by local police.
The most recent acts of harassment follow her involvement in providing assistance to victims of forced eviction due to the military presence in the Talaingod region, Davao del Norte Province.
Honey May Suazo is Secretary General of the Southern Mindanao Regional Chapter of the Alliance for the Advancement of People’s Rights (Karapatan). Karapatan is an alliance of individuals, groups and organisations formed in 1995 for the promotion and protection of human rights in the Philippines. It is committed to the defence of people’s rights and civil liberties through education, training, advocacy, research and network building. Honey May Suazo has undertaken several fact-finding missions, predominantly in highly militarised communities, and on several occasions has openly denounced human rights violations committed by military troops in the Southern Mindanao Region.
For several months human rights defender Ms Honey May Suazo has been the target of continuous harassment and surveillance by local police.
The most recent acts of harassment follow her involvement in providing assistance to victims of forced eviction due to the military presence in the Talaingod region, Davao del Norte Province.
On 11 July 2015, Honey May Suazo learnt that the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group had opened a criminal case against her, along with 15 other leaders of civil society organisations which support individuals forced to flee their homes due to the military presence in the Talaingod region. The case, which is based on trumped-up charges, was submitted by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group to the City Prosecutor’s Office on 12 May 2015. Lawyers for the accused human rights defender and other leaders of civil society organisations will submit counter affidavits on 6 September 2015.
On 19 June 2015, a colleague of Honey May Suazo, Ms Leonora Ricafort, warned her not to go to the Karapatan office as three men were monitoring the premises. As a result of this, for her personal safety and security Honey May Suazo has not returned to the Karapatan office, nor to her home, since receiving this warning.
Karapatan's leaders and staff members in the Southern Mindanao region are constantly under attack, as they are subjected to surveillance, threats and harassment from the military. On 27 April 2015, the Southern Mindanao office of Karapatan was attacked by unidentified individuals. The attack is believed to be linked to attempts by peasant leaders from Paquibato, Davao City to seek help from Karapatan after they had fled their communities following several cases of extrajudicial killing, forced evacuation, and other rights violations committed there during the course of military operations.
On 27 April 2015, the Southern Mindanao office of Karapatan, Alliance for the Advancement of People's Rights, was attacked by unknown men.
Karapatan is an alliance of individuals, groups and organisations, formed in 1995 for the promotion and protection of human rights in the Philippines. It is committed to the defense of people’s rights and civil liberties through education, training, advocacy, research and network building.
On 27 April 2015, at approximately 7 pm, three unidentified men attempted to enter Karapatan's office in the Southern Mindanao Region. Several human rights defenders working for Karapatan were inside the office at the time of the attempted break-in. When confronted by those present, the offenders refused to identify themselves and attempted to climb the concrete wall in order to access the compound housing the office. The attempted break-in ended when staff working at the office called for police and media assistance. Police and members of Radyo ni Juan, a radio station contacted, responded and arrived at the scene.
On 26 April 2015, intense surveillance of the Karapatan office by unknown men was noted by those working at the Karapatan office. Mr Eduardo Regidor, acting Chairperson of the Paquibato District Peasants Alliance, was chased after leaving the office with his sons on the same day, but safely escaped. Karapatan staff have filed a report with police relating the events.
Karapatan's leaders and staff members in the Southern Mindanao region are constantly under attack, as they experience surveillance, threats and harassment from the military. Human rights defenders attribute these violations to the intensification of military operations, especially in Mindanao, where 60% of the total troops of the Armed Forces of the Philippines are deployed. The current attack on Karapatan is believed to be linked to the attempts to seek the help of Karapatan by peasant leaders from Paquibato, Davao City, who fled from their communities following several cases of extrajudicial killing, forced evacuation, and other rights violations, committed there during the course of military operations.
