PRESS RELEASE | First Victim of Extrajudicial Killings in Batangas under P-Noy’s Regime
At about 8:00 AM today, Samahan ng Magbubukid ng Batangas member Rene Rodriguez was shot by 2 masked men riding a motorcycle. Rodriguez was found dead at Brgy. Caybunga, Balayan, Batangas with 3 gunshot wounds on his head and chest. He is a peasant activist who fought for land reform and against land grabbing in Batangas.
BAYAN-ST believes the killing is politically motivated and is still part of the counter-insurgency program Oplan Bantay Laya, now adopted by the Aquino administration. Batangas is one of the provinces in the region with massive deployment of military troops both in rural and urban areas.
Rodriguez is the first victim of extrajudicial killings in Batangas and the 7th in the Southern Tagalog region under Aquino’s presidency.
BAYAN-ST condemns the continuing attack against activists and progressive organizations. Aquino is taking the same blood-spattered road left by the Arroyo regime.
End impunity now!
Stop Oplan Bantay Laya!
Justice for all victims of human rights violations!
Andrianne Mark Ng
Secretary General
BAGONG ALYANSANG MAKABAYAN SOUTHERN TAGALOG
bayan.st@gmail.com
