Manila, Philippines – One year today after the brutal killings of Southern Tagalog mass leaders, organizers, and activitists on March 7, 2021, the Amihan National Federation of Peasant Women joined the family and friends of those slain for demanding for justice.
“We join the family and friends of bloody sunday massacre victims for demanding justice. The Duterte regime should be held accountable along with NTF-ELCAC for attacking legal activists and unarmed civilians in their counter-insurgency operations. Moreover, we reiterate our call to abolish NTF-ELCAC and junk terror law as it will intensify political persecution among activists,” exclaimed by Zenaida Soriano, Amihan National Chairperson.
The brutal killings of Southern Tagalog activists or known as bloody sunday massacre have victimized BAYAN Cavite Coordinator Emmanuel “Manny Asuncion; fisherfolk couple Chai Lemita-Evangelista and Ariel Evangelista of UMALPAS KA (Ugnayan ng Mamamayan Laban sa Pagwawasak ng Kalikasan at Kalupaan) in Batangas; the remaining six victims were from Rizal province including Puroy and Randy dela Cruz, both from Dumagat tribe; Abner and Edward Esto, both urban poor activist; Michael Dasigao and Mark Bacasno.
“We call on the soon to be elected officials to hold Duterte and his cohorts accountable on the bloody sunday massacre and other extra-judicial killings. We urge them to hear the cry of the victims’ families calling for justice. Moreover, we hope for a nation who respect people’s right to organize, freedom of speech and expression, and right to life and safety which the nine activists have fought under Duterte,” ended by Soriano. ###
