PHILIPPINES:Clovis Nazareno, poet and journalist
Amnesty International continues to be concerned for the safety of Clovis Nazareno, who was attacked by a civilian, in the presence of a police officer, on 14 June 1993 and subsequently ill-treated by the police officer. Amnesty International has just learned that the complaint Nazareno filed against the two men was dismissed in late July 1993 after two of the witnesses refused to testify on Nazareno's behalf for fear of their lives. Nazareno now fears for his life, and for the lives of the witnesses who signed affidavits in support of him. His fear is increased because the request he sent for protection to the National Bureau of Investigation has not yet been answered.
This latest attack on Clovis Nazareno occurred at about 5.30pm on 14 June in Poblacion, a barangay (local administrative unit) of Loon, Bohol province. The attack was carried out by a local businessman in the presence of a police inspector, who is also the municipal chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP). Following the attack, rather than arresting the businessman, the police inspector arrested Clovis Nazareno. In the course of the arrest Nazareno was ill-treated. After being brought to the local jail Nazareno asked to be given medical attention, and two hours later he was taken to hospital in Tagbilaran City and told that he was no longer under arrest. Nazareno stayed in hospital for several days to be treated for his injuries, which included a broken shoulder blade.
On 22 June Clovis Nazareno filed a complaint for serious physical injuries against the businessman and the police inspector with the Provincial Prosecutor's Office. However, his case was dismissed in late July after two of his witnesses refused to testify for fear of reprisals if they did so. After signing an affidavit in favour of Nazareno a third witness left the province, apparently because he too feared for his safety if he stayed in Bohol. A request made by Clovis Nazareno to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) for protection has yet to be answered and he is fearful that his life, and those of the witnesses to the 14 June attack, is in danger.
This is not the first occasion on which Clovis Nazareno has been threatened. In 1991 military authorities reportedly accused him of involvement with the New People's Army (NPA), the armed wing of the outlawed Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP). During 1992 he was threatened on a number of occasions. The most serious incident was a shooting attack carried out by a number of men, at least one of whom is believed to have been from the military. After the shooting incident Nazareno requested protection from the military authorities, but this was turned down.
Clovis Nazareno is a 33-year-old poet and newspaper columnist whose articles are frequently critical of government policies. Such articles have exposed government abuses in Bohol province where he lives, in particular illegal logging which is widely believed to continue because of backing from influential civilian and military officials. He is also a founder member of a local farmers' group called Friends of Farmers (FOF).
Amnesty International believes that the threats and harassment of Clovis Nazareno are connected to his lawful political activities. It is calling on the authorities to immediately take all steps necessary to ensure his safety. It is also calling on them to conduct an investigation into the threats made against Nazareno and to bring the perpetrators to justice.
BACKGROUND INFORMATIONPage 2 of FU 192/92
Bohol province is one of a number of regions in the Philippines where the military is engaged in armed conflict with the New People's Army (NPA). The military's "total approach" to counter-insurgency has involved the killing and harassment of individuals and members of civilian organizations. Individuals and members of lawful organizations are frequently accused of membership of, or support for, the NPA. Once labelled as communist supporters such people become particularly vulnerable to human rights violations including arbitrary arrest and detention, "disappearance" and extrajudicial execution.
FURTHER RECOMMENDED ACTION: Please send telegrams/telexes/faxes/express and airmail letters in English or your own language:
- expressing concern for the safety of Clovis Nazareno, following his harassment on 14 June 1993 by a civilian and a police inspector in barangay Poblacion, Loon, Bohol province;
- also expressing concern for the safety of those who witnessed the incident and who now fear reprisals as a result;
- asking the authorities to take appropriate measures to guarantee the safety of Nazareno and the witnesses;
- urging the government to conduct an immediate investigation into the attack on Nazareno and to bring the perpetrators to justice.
APPEALS TO:
1) President Fidel RamosSalutation: Dear President Ramos
Malacañang Palace
Manila
Philippines
Telegrams: President Ramos, Manila, Philippines
2) General Raul ImperialSalutation: Dear General Imperial
Director Genera
Philippine National Police
Camp Crame, Quezon City
Manila
Philippines
Telegrams: Gen Imperial, PNP Camp Crame, Manila, Philippines
3) Honourable David TirolSalutation: Dear Governor Tirol
Bohol Provincial Governor
Tagbilaran City
Bohol province
Philippines
Telegrams: Provincial Governor, Tagbilaran City, Bohol, Philippines
4) Honourable Alfredo CaresosaSalutation: Dear Mayor Caresosa
Municipal Mayor
Loon
Bohol province
Philippines
Telegrams: Municipal Mayor, Loon, Bohol, Philippines
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