Two days after the infamous “Bloody Sunday” of March 7, 2021 that saw 9 activists dead and dozens illegally arrested, the Karapatan National Office via its PIO desk received death threats containing a list of next targets under “Kill Kill Kill” Program. The identity of the text message senders is still unknown
The following were named by the alleged death threat text message:
- Iver of Bacolod (believed to be Iver Larit of Kadamay Negros)
- Butch of Bacolod (believed to be John “Butch” Lozande, Secretary General of National Federation of Sugar Workers
- Roque of Bacolod (believed to be Rolando Rillo of National Federation of Sugar Workers)
- Erning of Bacolod (believed to be Erneo Longinos, spokesperson, BAYAN Negros)
- Christian of Bacolod (believed to be Christian Tuayon of National Federation of Sugar Workers & former Sec-Gen of BAYAN Negros)
- Clarissa of Bacolod (believed to be Clarizza Singson, Secretary General of Karapatan Negros Island)
- Epi of Negros Occidental (believed to be Felipe Gelle of September 21 Movement)
- Darel of Kabankalan (believed to be Dharryl Albanez, Sec. Gen of September 21 Movement
- Alyas Tatay “Ogie” and his wife
- Berting of Bacolod
Furthermore, the Public Information Desk of Karpatan National Office received another threatening text versus Julius Dagatan, Secretary General of Karapatan Negros and Media Liason of BAYAN Negros, that said:
O ano takot na takot na kayo no? Susunod namin Negros humanda na asawa ni Clarisa na si Jules! Matataymingan din yan! (Oh you’re really scared now, huh? Negros will be next. Jules, the husband of Clarisa, be prepared! He will also be killed!)
Death Threat text message sent 1:48 PM, March 8, 2020 via SMART
Karapatan Negros Island states that the alleged threats come from the Philippine National Police and the Armed Forces of the Philippines, adding that they are the only ones that have the motive to do so, evidenced through relentless attacks and intimidation via red-tagging, vilifications and harassments against leaders and members of activists organizations.
The PNP and AFP have yet to comment concerning such death threats.
The human rights organization added that the crackdown in Southern Tagalog that took place last March 7, 2021 was executed in the “Tokhang-nanlaban” style that was reportedly utilized in Negros Island during Oplan Sauron that resulted to 6 deaths during SEMPO [Synchronized Enhanced Managing of Police Operations ] 1 last December 27-28, 2018; and 14 deaths during SEMPO 2 last March 30, 2019. Such events took place only weeks after the Sagay Massacre that caused nationwide controversy over the killing of unarmed farmers.
Karaptan also added that Negros Island still suffers from relentless “fascist attacks”, stating that it is imperative to push back against the “reign of tyranny” that has resulted to incidents of threats against fellow human rights defenders.
Paghimutad 