Dear friends,
Task Force Detainees of the Philippines (TFDP) writes to inform you about a shooting incident in Osmeña Ave., Barangay 5, Victorias City, Negros Occidental on July 13, 2022 that claimed the life of Rodan Berito, 40 years old, president of Felicidad Begonia Farm Workers Association (FBFWA). FBWA has a long-standing land dispute with Victorias Milling Company-Manapla Distillery (VMC). FBFWA leaders, including Berito, received multiple death threats and suffered from various forms of harassment allegedly from VMC.
CASE DETAILS:
Rodan Berito, 40 years old, president of Felicidad Begonia Farm Workers Association (FBFWA), was killed in a vigilante-style summary execution in Osmeña Ave., Barangay 5, Victorias City, Negros Occidental on July 13, 2022. Berito previously received multiple death threats related to their land dispute against Victorias Milling Company-Manapla Distillery (VMC). Berito was a resident of Barangay Purisima, Manapla, Negros Occidental.
According to Ronald Deocadiz, a land rights advocate and FBFWA organizer, between 3:00 to 4:00 P.M., Berito was standing in the area to buy cigarette when an unidentified gunman approached and shot him at close range. The gunman allegedly fled onboard a motorcycle driven by an unidentified accomplice. Deocadiz said that Berito succumbed to a fatal bullet wound in the head. Deocadiz added that the police recovered a fired deformed slug and a fired cartridge case of a .45 caliber pistol.
According to Deocadiz, Berito was aware that his life was under serious threat. Deocadiz said that on June 24, Berito’s son was robbed while driving Berito’s car in Hacienda Leticia, Barangay Caduhaan, Cadiz City. Deocadiz also said that Berito was the supposed target but when the perpetrator found that it was his son who was driving Berito’s car, they had to improvise, hence the robbery.
According to Deocadiz, Berito was scheduled to attend a court hearing on July 14, just a day after he was killed. Deocadiz said that Berito was arrested in April 2021 when the police raided his house in Manapla for illegal firearms and ammunition and illegal drugs. Deocadiz added that Berito was released later that year after posting bail.
Background:
Berito was the FBFWA president at the time of his death. In 2013, the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) gave five collective Certificate of Land Ownership Awards (CLOAs) to 105 members of then Ha. Begonia Farm Workers Association. However, they were not formally installed because of an alleged intimidation incident carried out by alleged goons of VMC in 2017.
FBFWA, alongside the residents of Barangay Purisima and neighboring barangays, has a long-standing complaint against VMC for its illegal waste water disposal that resulted in multiple fish kills and emission of unbearable odor. The Environmental Management Bureau (EMB-6) released multiple Notice of Violations to VMC to which the company complied. However, residents continued to complain against VMC for alleged malpractices.
On February 9, 2022, FBFWA members launched a picket line enforcing a stoppage order issued by Barangay Purisima Council. The picket line blocked the road leading to VMC preventing delivery tankers from entering and exiting the distillery plant. On February 17, the picket line was violently dispersed by Manapla Police and resulted in the arrest and detention of four FBFWA members.
REQUESTED ACTION:
PLEASE SEND LETTERS TO THE CONCERNED GOVERNMENT AGENCIES FOR THE IMMEDIATE, THOROUGH AND IMPARTIAL INVESTIGATION INTO THE KILLING OF BERITO; FOR THE ALLEGED PERPETRATORS TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE; TO ENSURE THE SAFETY AND SECURITY OF BERITO’S FAMILY AND FBFWA MEMBERS; AND TO PREVENT FURTHER VIOLATIONS AGAINST FBFWA MEMBERS AND OTHER HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS IN RELATION TO THE LAND CLAIMS AGAINST VMC.
Alvin N. Formentera
Task Force Detainees of the Philippines
SAMPLE LETTER:
Dear ________,
Greetings.
This is to express my grave concern regarding the information I have received that Rodan Berito, 40 years old, president of Felicidad Begonia Farm Workers Association (FBFWA), was killed in a vigilante-style summary execution in Osmeña Ave., Barangay 5, Victorias City, Negros Occidental on July 13, 2022. Berito previously received multiple death threats related to their land dispute against Victorias Milling Company- Manapla Distillery (VMC). Berito was a resident of Barangay Purisima, Manapla, Negros Occidental.
I have learned that on July 13, between 3:00 to 4:00 P.M., Berito was standing in the area to buy cigarette when an unidentified gunman approached and shot him at close range. The gunman allegedly fled onboard a motorcycle driven by an unidentified accomplice. Berito succumbed to a fatal bullet wound in the head and the police recovered a fired deformed slug and a fired cartridge case of a .45 caliber pistol.
According to Deocadiz, Berito was aware that his life was under serious threat. Deocadiz said that on June 24, Berito’s son was robbed while driving Berito’s car in Hacienda Leticia, Barangay Caduhaan, Cadiz City. Deocadiz also said that Berito was the supposed target but when the perpetrator found that it was his son who was driving Berito’s car, they had to improvise, hence the robbery.According to Deocadiz, Berito was scheduled to attend a court hearing on July 14, just a day after he was killed. Deocadiz said that Berito was arrested in April 2021 when the police raided his house in Manapla for illegal firearms and ammunition and illegal drugs. Deocadiz added that Berito was released later that year after posting bail.
Background:
Berito was the FBFWA president at the time of his death. In 2013, the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) gave five collective Certificate of Land Ownership Awards (CLOAs) to 105 members of then Ha. Begonia Farm Workers Association. However, they were not formally installed because of an alleged intimidation incident carried out by alleged goons of VMC in 2017.
FBFWA, alongside the residents of Barangay Purisima and neighboring barangays, has a long-standing complaint against VMC for its illegal waste water disposal that resulted in multiple fish kills and emission of unbearable odor. The Environmental Management Bureau (EMB-6) released multiple Notice of Violations to VMC to which the company complied. However, residents continued to complain against VMC for alleged malpractices.
On February 9, 2022, FBFWA members launched a picket line enforcing a stoppage order issued by Barangay Purisima Council. The picket line blocked the road leading to VMC preventing delivery tankers from entering and exiting the distillery plant. On February 17, the picket line was violently dispersed by Manapla Police and resulted in the arrest and detention of four FBFWA members.
I am writing to ask for urgent action:
1. For the immediate, thorough and impartial investigation into the killing of Berito;
2. For the alleged perpetrators to be held accountable;
3. To ensure the safety and security of FBFWA members and Berito’s family; and
4. To prevent further violations against FBFWA members and other human rights defenders in relation to the land claims against VMC.
Thank you.
Respectfully yours,
_______________________
PLEASE SEND LETTERS TO:
1. His Excellency Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr.
President, Republic of the Philippines
New Executive Building, Malacanang Palace Compound
JP Laurel Street, San Miguel, Manila
1005 Philippines
Tel: +632 87368645; +632 87368603; +632-87368606; +632-87368629; +632-87368621
Telefax: +632 87368621
E-mail: [email protected]
2. Hon. Jesus Crispin C. Remulla
Secretary, Department of Justice (DOJ)
Padre Faura Street, Ermita, Manila
1000 Philippines
Tel: +632 85218348
Telefax: +632 85262618
Trunkline: +632 85238481 loc 217
Email: [email protected], [email protected]
3. Hon. Benjamin C. Abalos, Jr.
Secretary, Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG)
DILG-NAPOLCOM Center
EDSA corner Quezon Avenue, Quezon City
Tel: +632 8928-6713; +632 8925-0382
Trunkline: +632 88763454 loc 1001
Email: [email protected]
4. Atty. Jacqueline Ann de Guia
Executive Director, Commission on Human Rights (CHR)
SAAC Bldg., Commonwealth Avenue
U.P. Complex, Diliman
Quezon City
Philippines
Tel: +632 89285655; +632 89266188;(02) 8928-7240;
(02) 8927-5790
Telefax: +632 89290102
Email: [email protected]
5. Lt. Gen Andres Centino
Chief of Staff, Armed Forces of the Philippines
FP Cruz Avenue corner Crame Avenue,
Camp General Emilio Aguinaldo
Quezon City, Philippines 1110
Tel: +632 89116001 local 6700
Email: [email protected]
6. Police Lieutenant General Rodolfo Azurin Jr.
Chief, Philippine National Police
National Headquarters, Camp Crame, Quezon City
Tel: +632 87230401 local 6000; +632 87264361; +63 998 8698888
Email: [email protected]; [email protected]
