ABRAHAM A. AGAMATA · 2018-07-25 · PTFOMS UPDATES re UNESCO queries.pdf Good day! In response to your letter dated 04 April 2018 addressed to Ambassador Maria Theresa P. Lazaro,

Romer, Flavie

From:

Sent:To:Ce:Subject:Attachments:

Atty. Abraham A. Agamata <[email protected]>mardi 29 mai 2018 12:50

Coudray, Sylvie; McCabe, Saorla; Romer, FlavieLim, Ming KuokUpdate on thé 70 cases classified asjournalist killings by thé UNESCOPTFOMS UPDATES re UNESCO queries.pdf

Good day!

In response to your letter dated 04 April 2018 addressed to Ambassador Maria Theresa P. Lazaro,a copy ofwhich was directly sent to us by Ms. Romer through émail, please see attached PDF fileof thé filled-out table containing thé latest information that we hâve on thé cases subject ofyourquery. As indicated in our statement in Section 4 therein, we will provide you with fiirther updateson thé cases by 28 June 2018.

Please note that we sent a printed copy of thé attached file to thé Department of Foreign Affairswhich previously forwarded your query to us through its Office of thé United Nations andInternational Oganizations (DFA-UNIO). l wish to emphasize, as stated in our response toSections 2 and 3 ofyour query, that on 20 April 2018 we ftirnished thé UNESCO, also through théDFA-UNIO, a printed copy of our Urgent Appeal to thé CPJ for thé delisting of thé Philippinesfrom its Global Impunity Index. Thé Urgent Appeal provides a detailed report of théaccomplishments and continuing activities of thé Task Force in pursuit ofits mandate to protectthé life, liberty and security of média workers in thé Philippines.

Lastly, as l hâve mentioned to Dr. Lim in a previous émail, we are interested to attend upcominginternational conferences/seminars for thé remaining months of 2018 organized by your office onthé protection ofjournalists/média workers. We look forward to our Executive Director,Undersecretary Joël Sy Egco, being invited to such events as a speaker or delegate/participantrepresenting thé Philippine government in his officiai capacity. Should there be any forthcomingevents, kindly send us invitations at least a month in advance so we could thoroughly prépare forthem.

We hope thé attached file sufficiently addressed your query. Should you hâve further questions, wewould appreciate ifyou could communicate directly with thé Task Force through this émail as wellas through thé contact détails provided below. We look forward to your immédiate feedback aswell as to fmitfiil collaborations with your office as we continue to do our share in thé globalcampaign to eradicate violence against média workers. Thank you.

/-_4t --

^"'1 '"/-

JMSTITIAE LIBEBTAS2016

ABRAHAM A. AGAMATAAttomey V/Chiefof StaffPresidential Task Force on Média Securi

2nd Floor West Win William J. Shaw Bld .io San Rafaël Street Malacanan San Mi uel Manila

Tel. No. : 784-4286 loc. 4727/4728

Confîdentiality Notice: This communication is intended to be confidential and for thé exclusiveuse of thé addressee. Ifyou are not thé addressee, you are notified that any act of rétention,copying, altération, disclosure or dissémination ofthis communication or any part hereofisstrictly prohibited. Ifyou receive this communication in error, kindly delete it and notify thésender.

Permanent Délégation of thé Republic of thé Philippirto UNESCO

30 May 2018

Dear Ms. Coudray,

Followmg^the submission of_updates on thé status of légal investigaticronducted_on ^the deaths of 70 Filipino journalists from 2006 To 2ûÎ7"Ïv"'the

Presjdential Task Force on Média Security (PTFoMS)-on 29~May 20187itwouldbe_hi9hiy aPPreGiated if thé Section for Freedom of Expression could~co"UTse

i, or at least copy_fumish thé Permanent Delegation'of thé Philippines Ttscommunications with thé PTFoMS.

Furthermore>. the Govemment of the Philippines would like to request thatcases already deemed dosed or deîermined not to be media-related be''removedfrom thé list of casesjncluded in thé Director General's Report on thé SafetvofJournalists and thé UNESCO website.

With renewed assurances of my highest considération.

Very îruly yours,

^fs^'Sg^^r-Char^ d'Affaires, ai,

Ms. Sylvie COUDRAYChief of thé Section for Freedom of ExpressionCommunication and Information Sector (Cl)

Ce: Ms. Flavie ROMERSection for Freedom of Expression

Maison de l'UNESCO - Bureau B21-22, 1 rue Miollis 75732 PARIS Cedex 15 - FranceTel no. : (+33) 1 4568 30 12, Email: dl. DhiliDDines@unesco-deleaations. orq'

www. parispe. dfa. gov. ph

Mode! Table assisting responses by Member States

Section l; Table

Current ListofJournalists Killed (as condemned by thé UNESCO Director-General) and Légal Investigations (as reported by UNESCODate: Ta be sent ta UN ESCO before 30 Ma 2018

Name of Genderjournalist/Affiliation

RollyCanete Mâle

Date ofallegedmurder

20January2006

InvestigatingAuthority

Région IX

Pagadian CityPoliceStation,Zamboangade/Sur

CaseNumber

Crim.Case No.8167-2006

Current Status

Décision rendered by JudgeAbraham Ramas ofBranch 18 ofthé Régional Trial Court (RTC)ofPagadian C'ity

Verdict

Date of Verdict: November 14,2008

Accused Herbert Liguan yRomualdez was acquitted forthé crime ofmurder. Théprosecution failed to prove théguitt of thé accused beyondreasonable doubt.

Addltionalremarks

Case c/osed,

GraclanoAquino

Mâle 21January2006

Reg/on ///

Bataan PoliceProvincialOffice

N/A Still under investigation. Localpolice suspected that RHB memberwas thé one responsible in thékilling afsaid mediaman at thécockpit arena

W/4 Not média workrelated. CasereferredtotheDirectorate forInvestigation andDétectionManagement(DIDM) ofthePhili ine National

Police (PNP) forfurther investigation.

Fernando Mâle"Dong"BatulDYPR RadioCommentator

22 Ma/2006

Région IVB

PuertoPrincosa CityPoffceStation,Palawan

ûïm.Case No.21309

Trial is ongoing. AcçusedPOIAaron Golifardo is presentlydetained at thé provincial jail,

N/4 ForPTFoMSmonitoring.

PoncianoGrande

Mâle 7

Deomber2006

Regton III

A/ueva Ecija

WA Under investigation by Nueva EcijaPNP

W/4 Network related.Vidim is not alegitimatQ memberof média si thé timeofthekillingandnots hard-hittingwmmentator,

FernandeLintuan

RobertSfeon

Mâle 24 Région XlDecember2007 Davao City

Mâle 30June2005

Région IVA

Saria a,

Crim Warrant of arrest issued by BranchCase no 17oftheRTCDamoCityaganst

thé suspect Leonilo Larosa695-37-08,

Crim Tried at Branch 150 afïhe RTCCase No. Maksfi City; Décision rendered by10-3351- Jud e Bmo M. Almeda

WA Forfollowup/manhunt opérationsbyPTFoMS.

Date of Verdid: June 28, 2013 Case ctosed.

Accused Mario Biscocho,

Ouezon 10-3353 Michael Biscocho, andMenandro Blscocho wereacquitted for thé crime ofmurderduetolackofeyewitness.

Martin/îoxas

Tiburcio"Jojo"Trajano

CrispinFerez

Mâle

Mâle

Mate

JAugust2008

2June2009

9June2009

Région VI

Roxas City,Capiz

Région IXA

Taytay, Rizal

Région IVB

PuertoPrincesa CityPoliceStation,Palawan

Crim. Deaaon rendered by JudgeCase No. Ignado A, Alajar ofBranch 18 ofC-209-08 theRTC

/;?oxas City

Crim. Tried at Branch 74, RTC AntipoloCase No. City, under Judge Mary Jane P.09. Lazare38543-44

Data of Verdict: March 8,2016

Accused Kristian Tan andJoenelLasttmoso woraconvicted of Homicide.

Accused Jeffefy Samul affasJack Tamondong andZorenSarou/ cf/ed in an encounterduring thé manhunt opérationsSen/ina warrant ofarrest.

Csse closed.

Case c/osed.

Çnro. Deasfon renderod by Branch 85 of Date of Verdie: March 23,Case Wo. thé RTC Lipa Oty 2016R-6992

Accused P02 DamlnQuimoyog y Réfugia wasatxiuitted for lack of factualand légal grounds.

Case c/osed.

GodofredoLlnao

Mâle 27June2009

ARMM

PNPDIDM/

Crim,Case No.GL-Q-

One hundred eighty-eight (188)accused ofRdally chgrged. Four (4)accusée? ac uittedaltertheir

WA UnderPTFoMSmonitoring.

NBINCR 12- respecSivsdemurrersto évidence178638 were granted by thé court. Five (5)

exdudod/droppedfrom théinformation andbecme âtewitnesses. One hundred seven(107) accused are wrrentlydetained and four (4) ofthem arealready dead. Two (2) accused areoirf on bail. One (1) accused wasrelease by virtue of an order ofyetease in connectlon w'tfh hispétition forHabeas Corpus. AI! ofthem hâve been arraigned.

Bghty-one (81) accused are still stlarge. Thé Prosecution baspresented one hundred ninety-one(191) witnesses induding théprivste omplainants and thosewho hâve been recalled, while théaccused hâve already presentedone hundred (100) witnesses fordéfense evidence-in- chief.

GinadelaCruz

Female 23November2009

A/?MM

PNPDIDM/NBINCR

-cfo- -do- -do- -do-

Lea FemateDelmacio

23 ARMMNovember2009 PNPDIDM/

NBINCR

-ûfo- -do- -do- -do-

Mantes FemafeCablitas

23 ARMM -do-November2009 PNPDIDM/

NBINCR

-do- -do- -do-

Alyandro MâleReblando


NBINCR

-do- -cfo- -do-

Andres MâleTeodoro


NBINCR

-do- -do- -cfo- .cfo-

Arturo Betia Mate 23 ARMMNovember2009 PNPDIDM/

NBINCR

-do- -do- -GfO- -ûfo-

Bataluna MâleRubelto

23 ARMM -do.November2009 PNPDIDM/

NBINCR

-do- -do- -do-

Bwjie Mâle 23 ARMM -doAdolfo November

2009 PNPDIDM/NBINCR

. cfo- -do- -do-

Bienwnido MâleLsgarte

23 ARMM -do-Novomber2009 PNPDIDM/

NBINCR

. do- -do- -ûfo-

Jhoy Duhay Fwnale 23 ARMMNovember2009 PNPDIDM/

NBINCR

-cfo- -do- -do- -do-

Femando Mâle/îazon


NBINCR

-do- -cfo- -do-

Hannlbal MâleCachuela


NBINCR

-do- -cfo- -do-

lan Subang Mâle 23 WMM -do-November2009 PNPDIDM/

NBINCR

-do- -do- -do-

JoelParcon Mâle 23 ARMM -do-November2009 PNPDIDM/

NBINCR

-ûf0- -cfo- -do-

John MâleCaniban


NBINCR

-do- -do- -ûfo. -cfo-

Llndo MâleLupogan


NBINCR

-ofo- -do- -do- -do-

NapoléonSalaysal

NoelDecina

ReyMerisco

ReynaldoMomay

RoméoJimmyCabillo

Mâle

Mate

Mâle

Mâle

Mâle

23November2009

23November2009

23November2009

23November2009

23November2009

ARMM

PNPDIDM/NBINCR

ARMM

PNPDIDM/NBINCR

ARMM

PNPDIDM/NBINCR

ARMM

PNPDIDM/NBINCR

ARMM

PNPDIDM/NBINCR

-do.

-do-

-do-

-do.

-do-

. do-

-do-

. do-

-ûfO-

-do-

-do-

-do-

-cfo-

-do-

-do-

-do-

-do-

-do-

-do-

-do

Ronnie MâleParante


NBINCR

-do- -do- -do-

Rosell FemaleMorales

23 ARMM -do.November2009 PNP 01 DM/

NBIHCR

'do- -do- -do-

Santos MateGatchalian


NBINCR

-ûfo- -do- -do- -do-

Emesto MâleMaravilla


NBINCR

-do- -do- -do-

Henry Mâle 23 ARMMAraneta November

2009 PNPDIDM/NBINCR

-do- -do- . do- -do-

Marife Female 23 ARMM -do-"Nenen " November

-do- -do- -do-

Montano 2009 PNPDIDM/NBINCR

Eugène MâleDoAfflo


NBINCR

-do. -do- -OlO-

Mark Gilbert MâleArriola


NBINCR

-do- -do- -do-

Victor MâleNunez


NBINCR

.do -do- -do-

Desiderio MateCaman an

14June Région Xl2010

Crim. Décision rendered by Judge Date ofvwdict: May 26, W16 Caseclosed.Case No. Retrina E, Fuentes of RTC Davao

10

MatlCityPoffceStîon,DavaoOrientai

5630-10 CityBranch 11. Accused Dennis Lumikidwas found gullty for ttecrime ofmwder and wassentencad to suffer thépenalty ofrechisionperpétua.

JovelitoAgustin

Mâle 15June2010

Région l

BacarraPdice Station//ocos Norte

Crim.Case No,14526-12

Trial ongoing. Venue wastranslerred to Muntinlupa CityRégional Trial Court as AccusedLeonardo Banaag, Jr. is servingsentmce at NBP forill^recruitment case.

A//4 ForPTFoMSmonitoring/followup.

WestorBedolido

Mâle 19June2010

Région Xl

Digos CityPoliceStation,Ds/aodelSur

Crim,Case No.47(2012)

An Information for murder was Siedbefore RTC Branch 19, Digos Cityinitially again^ Aoused ArtemioTimosan Jr. Alias "DofcDok", RlchieMirafuentes and one John Doe.Upon review by thé Department ofJustice, thé information against thésa/'of accused was withdrawn andinstead, an information hrmurderwas filed against Davao del SurGovemor Douglas Cagas, MatanaoM or Wcente Femandez, Ali

WA ForPTFoMSmonitoring/followup.

11

Ordaneza, and Bado Sanc/?ez. Awarrant for thé arrçst of thé said

accused was issued by JudgeCannelita Samo-Davin,

On 20 Octêr 2014, Gov. Cagassurrendered to thé police and wascommitted at thé BJMP-Davao delSur.

Marlina"Len"Ftores-Sumera

NlelJinwna

Female

Mâle

24March2011

23August2011

NCR

Malabon CltyPdice Station

Région VI

MagalonaPolice StationNogrosOccidental

Crim.Case No.

XV-IV-11D-INV-259


Murder charges were Sied againstAlejandro Carlos. Case has beenfomarded to thé Department ofJustice (DO J),

Case for murder agalnst accusée/Noël Guimeroy y Morales, wasprovisionally dismissed as privatecomfâinant Kholyn Joy Jimenaand her witnesses failed to appearin court several fîmes, while dheraccuseof Joël Calungsod is still atlarge.

AWA

ForPTFoMSmonitoring/Mlowup.

ForPTFoMSmonitoring / followup.

Roy Mâle 14 Région XIII Crim. AwaiSngtrialatRTCBranch28,Bakûkan October Case No. Uan a, ~ Suri aodel Sur; a warrant

WA ForPTFoMSmonitorin /follow

12

Galtago 2011 UangaPollo 5202StaGon,Surigao delSur

for thé arrest ofaccused HildoTojero and one John Doe was/ssued but thé said acwsed remainat large.

up.

AldionLayao

NestorLibaton

Mâle

Mâle

SApril2012

SMay2012

Région Xl

Ca/manPdlce StationDavao Cit

Région Xl

MatiCityPoffce Station

Crim. Triai ongoing at RTC Branch 14,Case No. Davao City. Accused Petronillo72-488- Quino Demidllo Jr. detained at dty12 jail,

Crim. Case for murderaganstaccusedCase No. JaMo Palatic and Polan Quitab was5910-12 prowsionally dismissQdin thé

absence ofany witnesses for théprosecution.

A//4

AM

Not work related.ReferrodtoDIDM.

Network râted.ReferredtoDIDM.

Eddie Jésus MâleApostol

1 ARMMSeptember Maguindanao2012 PNP

A/M Stillunder investigation by théPNP.

/V/4 ForPTFoMSmonSoring/followup.

BonifocioLo/eto Jr.

Mâle 30July2013

NCR

C/DU QuezonCity

Crim.Case No.0-12-176172

Dedsion rendered by Judge LuisitoG. Cortez ofRTC Branch 65,Quezon City.

Oato ofvofdict: Octoéer23,2014

AccusedBwJIBateyConstantino pleaded gulltyto thé /ssser offense ancfsentoncedfosuffiara

soRmentior

Casec/oseaf

13

fourtow(14)y9 ars.

Richard Kho Mâle 30Ju/y NCR Crim.2013 Case No.

CIDUQuezon Q-12-City 176172

-do- -do- -do-

Mario Sy Mâle 1 August2013

Région XII N/A

Général;Santos CityPolice Station

Still under investigation.Investigation team is stillconducting tracking ofwitnesses.

AM ForPTFoMSmonitoring/followup,

Fsrnando"Nanding"Soffjfon

Mâle 30August2013

Région X

lligan CityPolice Station


WarrsoTt ofarrest had been issuedagainst Awused P01 PeejayCapampangan who remglns atlarge. Information formurder wasoriginally filed before RTC Branch6, lligan City but thé case wasordered by thé Suprême Court tobe transferred to RTC Cebu uponffiepetition ofSolijon's widow, Afe/ySolijai, to avoid miscamage ofjustice due to possible interventionoflli anCit Ma orCelso

WA ForPTFoMSmonltoring/followup.

14

Regencia.

Verge/B/co Mâle 4 Région IVBSeptember2013 Ca/apan City

OrientaiMindoro

Crim. Warrant ofarrestissued for théCase No. arres? af accused Romano Rogales

y Cabu/a and other cohorts who15-12- are still at large.117

MW ForPTFoMSmonitoring/followup.

Joash MâleDigno$

MichaelDiaz MâleMeto(MlkeMilo)

Rogelio Mâle"Tata"Butallb

29November2013

7

Deomber2013

11Deomber2013

Région X

Valencia,Bukidnon

Région Xl 11

TandagPofceStation,Surigao De/Sur

Région Xl

Tagum GiyPolice Station

Crim.Case No.2507914

W/4

NPSNo.X/-09-INV-151-00325

Trial ongoing. Accused DionesioDaulog, Jr. is detainedatCityjail.

Under investigation byTandagPolice Station.

A//4

N/A

Accused Wrenter Ubres Azarconand two (2) others stlll at large.

WA

ForPTFoMSmonitoring/followup.

Network related.Victim is ncd a hardhitting commentatorand motive of thékilling has beentheorizedasfamilyproblem/lovetriangle.

Not workrelated.ReferredtoDIDM.

15

Rubyltta Female 6April Région IVA Crim. Trial is ongoing, Acwsed RobertoGarcia 2014 Case No. Gatiland Manuel Aruta are still at

Bacoor Cavité 6599 large. Accused Aitemio Gatil,PS Alberto Gatil, and Cresendo

Labadado hâve boen arrosted.

WA ForPTFoMSmonitoring/foilowup.

Nerllta Female SJanuary Région III Crim. Thé case for murder againstLodesma 2015 Case No. AcciisedlnocencioBendowas

Balanga PS 14827 provisionally dismissed by RTCBataan firancft 2, Balanga, Bataan on 08

August2017.

WA Nat wori( related,incident arose ouï ofland disputes.

Maurito Lim Mâle

Gregorio MâleYbanez

Teodoro MâleEscanilla

14February2015

18August2015

19August2015

Région V11tagbilaranCity PoliceOffice

RegimXI

Tagum CityPolice Station

/?eg/o/î V

BarcelonePoliceStation,Sors on

W/4

NPSNo.X/-09-INV-151-00325

A//4

Under investigation by TagbllaranPNP

ForprBliminaiyinvesVgetlonattheTagum City Prosecutor's Office.

Under investigation.

N/A

H/A

N/A


Not work related.Refen-wltoDIDM.

ForPTFoMSmonitoring/follawup.

16

CosmeDrez MâleMaesfrado

José MâleBernardo

27August2015

31October201S

Région X

Ozam/s CityPoliceStation,MisamisOcddental

NCR

CIDU QuezonCity

Crim.Case No.7383

WA

AwaiSng trial at thé RTC Branch36, Ozamis City. Accused GregieAzcona y Albor and three (3) JohnDoesstill at large.

AUnderimestlgstion by CIDUOt/ezo/î City.

m


Not work related.JoseBemardoisnot legitimatebroadcaster.ReferredtoDIDM.

EMsOrdan'aa

Larry Que

Mâle

Mâle

16Febniary2016

20December2016

Région IX

Pitogo PoliceStationZamboangadelSur

Région V

CatanduanesCity PoliceStation

WA

NPSNo.XBI-INV-17E-

13

Undor investigation. Thé victim istestifying on various drugs casesin his area.

Thé oompSaint for murder bas beensubmitted for résolution by théDOJ.

N/4

A/M

Network related.Refen-edtoDIDM.

ForPTFoMSmonitoring / followup.

17

JoaquinBriones

/îutfyAlicsway

Lwdoro0/8Z

Mate

Mâle

Mâle

f 3 Marc/)2017

ôAugust2017

7August2017

Région V

MasbafePoffce Ststion

Région IX

Mdave PoliceStaSonZamboangade/Sur

Région XII

SultanKudaratPîce Station

Criro.Case No,18720

N//1

Crim.Case No.5519-PQ(17)

Warrant of arrest issued againstAcused Antonio Villarin delRosario, Ronnie de/ Rosario andsix(6)cthwJohnDoes. AIIaccusecf are still at large.

Underinvestigsîion by thé PNP,

Trial is ongoing at RTC Brane^ï 20,Tacwong City, Accused TotoKalsunag and one (1) John Doe arestill at large.

H/k

WA

ForPTFoMSmonitoring/Mlawup.

Network râted.Referra^toDIDM.

A//4 Mot workrâted.ReferredtoDIDM.

Christopher MâleIban Lozada

24October2017

Région XIII

BisligdtyPolice Station/NBINCR

On March 12, 2018, in a pressWA bfiefingaboutthe

killing, PTFoMS ExecutiveDirector USec. Joël Sy Egcodisdosed that a witness hadpointed to RollyMahilum, formerdriver and aide ofBislig CiîyMa oriibrado Navarro, as thé

WA ForPTFoMSmonitwng/followup.

18

gunman. Mahilum was positivelyidenWed by a witness onFebruary25, when e latterwas going through photos ofLozada on a laptop of thé slainbroadcaster's staffer. During théMefîng, ff was a/so announcedthat thé gunmen's allegedgetaway vehicle, a Toyota HiAce van with plate number SFJ951 is owned by thé Bislig CSygovemment. Thé NationalBureau of Investigation (NBI) isconducting an ongoingimesVgation to fînallze thé filingofmurder charges. Meanwhile,thé PTFoMS bas endorsed théadmission ofîhe witness to théW'rtness Protection Program,

Section 2: Positive or Innovathfe Measuresthe MfimberState is taking to promote safety ofjournaiists andcombat impunity

Section 3: Stepsthe;Member State has taken to çonsider thé SRecific rlsks faced by women journalists in thé exercise of.their work

".For Sections 2 and 3, we would like to invite thé attention of thé UNESCO ta thé fact thaï on 20 April 2018, thé Philippine government, through théPresidential Task Force on Média Securlty (PTFoMS), hasfiled an Urgent Appealfor thé delisting of thé Philippines from thé Global Impunity Index of théCommittee to Protect Joumalists {CP1). Thé Urgent Appeal contains a discussion of thé activities and accompllshments of thé PTFoMS in pursult af Itsmandate to protect thé life, llberty, and security of média workers as provlded In Administrative Order No. l issued by Président Rodrigo R. Duterte on 11October 2016. Thé UNESCO was fwnished a copy of thé Urgent Appeal through thé Department of Foreign Affairs. In addition, thé PTFoMS is in thé

19

rocess o dra in a handbook a securi measures rotocols r média workers in thé Phil! mes and 'cornes in uts rom its member-a enciesresource ersons as well as local and international non- overnmental or anizatlons.

Section 4: Agreement to post thé submitted information on UNESCO'sdedicated webpage

Thé PTFoMS réserves thé right ta confirm its agreement to thé posting of thé submitted Information until it has received thé latest updatesfrom thé investigating authorities and after it has conducted an exhaustive review of ait files in its possession relative to thé cases subjertofyour query. We will provide your office with thé latest updates on thé cases by 28 June 2018.

20

Documents

ABRAHAM A. AGAMATA · 2018-07-25 · PTFOMS UPDATES re UNESCO queries.pdf Good day! In response to your letter dated 04 April 2018 addressed to Ambassador Maria Theresa P. Lazaro,