TRIBUTE TO WILLEM GEERTMAN
By Belarmino Dabalos Saguing, UMANGAT-MIGRANTE Rome
On June 16, 2013 Filipino migrant workers AND THE
International Coordinating Committee on Human Rights in the Philippines
(ICCHRP), Rome Desk Rome, Italy, pays homage to Willem Geertman, Alyansa
ng mga Magbubukid sa Gitnang Luson (Amgl, Farmers’ Alliance in Central Luzon), a Dutch martyr for
the rights of Filipino farmers during the celebration of Family day by Ugnayan
ng Manggagawang Migrante Tungo sa Pag-unlad (UMANGAT) in Rome, Italy.
Geertman was clearly killed because of
his commitment to serve the farmers in the region and not because he was robbed.
On July 5, 2012, two armed suspects forcibly entered the
compound of Geertman’s office and threatened not just Geertman but also two of
his co-workers in Alay Bayan. The suspects could easily take away
anything as they were armed but they did worse than that: Geertman who was sitting at the compound’s
balcony was stunned and raised his arms up, expressing no intent of
resistance. But the suspects forced him to kneel down, then shot him at
the back.
This is not just a case of extra-judicial killing but a
blatant attack on the democratic rights of cause-oriented groups and the
people’s movement. ABI is one of the main supporter of Amgl as it adhere
to the protection and promotion of farmers’ rights on land in the region.
The group is also a regular supporter of Hacienda Luisita farmworkers on their
struggle against the manueverings of president Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino’s
family, the Cojuangco-Aquinos. ABI is also supporting the farmers’ struggle
against the Aurora Economic Pacific Zone (Apeco) in Aurora, where Geertman
stayed for many years. As ABI is a group for disaster preparedness,
relief and rehabilitation, they are in close coordination with the provincial
organizations of Amgl, as its members are always heavily affected by natural
calamities.
The Rome migrant workers condemn the dastardly murder of
Willem Gertman and reiterate their demand that justice be served, the
perpetrators hunted and prosecuted, and demand for an end to extra-judicial
killings.
STOP EXTRTA-JUDICIAL KILLINGS IN THE PHILIPPINES!
END IMPUNITY NOW!!!
JUSTICE TO WILLEM GEERTMAN AND TO ALL VICTIMS OF HRV IN THE
PHILIPPINES!!!
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