Pinoy Weekly | Rights groups condemn killing of typhoon Pablo survivor

Posted: 05 Jan 2014 08:51 AM PST Bloodied body of Monterona (Contribution) Human rights and indigenous peoples groups condemned the killing of a typhoon Pablo survivor in Maco, Compostela Province on January 03, 2014. The victim, 41-year-old Marcelo Monterona, was shot several times by unidentified two men riding a motorcycle outside his home in Barangay Esperanza. According to Karapatan-Southern Mindanao Region, as a survivor of typhoon Pablo, Monterona is one of the the prominent leaders of Indog Kautawan, a group demanding for just rehabilitation and services for Pablo survivors. Monterona is the first victim of extra-judicial killing this 2014, and the third indigenous peoples’ rights defender to fall victim to impunity under the Aquino administration. The other two were Fr. Pops Tentorio and Willem Geertman. “The Aquino government is yet again showing its inutility in solving the nation’s problems in the unabated extrajudicial killings,” said Piya Macliing Malayao, spokesperson of Kalipunan ng mga Katutubong Mamamayan sa Pilipinas (KAMP). In March 2013, Monterona was among the group composed of environment activists, peasants and Lumads who barricaded the entrance of mining company Apex and paralized its operations. The Indug Kautawan then demanded Php 26 Million worth of reparation for the destruction brought by the mining operations that aggravated when typhoon Pablo struck their community. Bayan-SMR accused the military as behind the incident. “Marcelo’s wife believes that the 71st Infantry Battalion (of the Philippine Army) operating in the area has something to do with the killing of her husband,” said Sheena Duazo, secretary-general of Bayan. The 71st IB was also tagged in the killing of Pedro Tinga, a Lumad farmer who was shot dead last December 5, 2013. “Lumads, peasants, and their advocates find themselves facing the military’s gun barrels, especially when the opposition, barricades, and protests hamper on the interests of large businesses such as mining. Monterona is another victim of this system,” added Malayao. The killing of indigenous peoples under the Aquino administration is 37, the group claimed.