From: The Martyr Index

Date: May 10, 2006 11:04 AM

According to the Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC), as well as other sources available to The Martyr Index, authorities in the Philippines have devised a plot to kill two of the arrested and tortured Food Not Bombs (FNB) activists (for more info see my other article, "11 FNB Activists tortured and arrested in the Philippines"). William Pangan, a prisoner at La Trinidad Provincial Jail in Benguet, has recently come forward and announced that he was offered money to kill Rundren Lao and Jefferson dela Rosa. However, fearing that he too will be killed after having killed the two punk rockers and FNB activists, he has come forward to confess to his acceptance of the bribe. This confirms the suspicions that the jailed youth had about a plot to end their lives and silence them (see the report UP-099-2006 by the AHRC).

After having been beaten in his cell and threatened with his life, Rundren Lao was recently transferred to a cell with Jefferson dela Rosa and William Pangan and he resides there right now. It is suspected by their friends that this is the signal for William Pangan to go ahead with the assassination. He claims he will be given a gun soon. More details about this case can be found in the AHRC report UP-100-2006: PHILIPPINES: Further details on plot to kill torture victims.

I've received an urgent appeal from friends of the victims to let the authorities know they are being watched and that Rundren and Jefferson are not forgotten. Please help spread the word and please, please, please, write to the people who are holding the lives of Rundren and Jefferson by a thread, so that they know they are being watched. We must let them know that if these boys are savagely murdered, the world will see the corruption at play in the prison system in the Philippines.

Below is a sample letter that I've written to the authorities involved. The victims need our help right now, so please act. Their frinds are asking for people outside of the Philippines to take note and let the authorities know there are interested parties outside of the country.

1. Director Arturo W. Alit

Chief

Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP)

144 Juco Bldg. Mindanao Avenue

Quezon City

Tel No: 632 9276154 / 927 6383

E-mail: itu@bjmp.gov.ph

2. Senior Superintendent Wilfredo L Navarrete

RBJMP-Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR)

2/F., Baguio City Jail, Albano St.,

Baguio City

PHILIPPINES

Tel. No: 63 74 443 5295

E-mail: jmpcar@bjmp.gov.ph



Sample Letter



To:

1. Director Arturo W. Alit

Chief

Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP)

144 Juco Bldg. Mindanao Avenue

Quezon City

Tel No: 632 9276154 / 927 6383

E-mail: itu@bjmp.gov.ph

2. Senior Superintendent Wilfredo L Navarrete

RBJMP-Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR)

2/F., Baguio City Jail, Albano St.,

Baguio City

PHILIPPINES

Tel. No: 63 74 443 5295

E-mail: jmpcar@bjmp.gov.ph

I am writing because it has been brought to my attention that two inmates held under your authority are in danger of being assassinated. According to the Asian Human Rights Commission, as well as a number of other independent sources, both Rundren Lao and Jefferson dela Rosa, held in La Trinidad Provincial Jail, have received numerous death threats and suspect a possible attempt on their lives. This threat has been confirmed by the prisoner William Pangan, who claims that he was offered money to assassinate the two men with a handgun. However, apparently Pangan also fears for his life, worrying that after having carried out the murders, he too would be killed. It is also believed that this whole conspiracy is being carried out on orders from above.

This plot to murder two (and possibly three) prisoners who are in your custody is reprehensible and must be arrested immediately. If these men are killed, not only will it be a personal tragedy for their friends and family, but it will also reflect poorly on the system of justice and corrections in the Philippines. The country has an international spotlight on it right now because of corruption that is alleged to exist in the government and other state organizations, as well as a related coup attempt. The murder of these men would not reflect well on the state of democracy in the Philippines.

It is within your power to ensure the safety of the prisoners and ensure that those responsible for hiring an assassin are exposed. This is a matter of extreme urgency and I implore you to act swiftly to undermine this alleged conspiracy.

Sincerely,

Mark Bizek

Calgary, Alberta, Canada