First nondrug-related killing

FACED WITH livelihood, environmental and health-related dangers posed by an open coal stockpile in Barangay Lucanin, Mariveles, Bataan, the Samahan ng Nagkakaisang Mamamayan ng Lucanin (SNML) mounted a campaign against Limay Bulk Handling Terminal Inc. (LBHTI). At the helm of the campaign was Ka Gloria Capitan, a 57-year-old grandmother, environmental activist, and SNML’s president. With the children of her community in mind, she passionately fought for the human right to a healthy environment.

SNML filed a petition in the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, the local government and the Commission on Human Rights regarding the issue. It has also filed a complaint against the local government in the Office of the Ombudsman.

After months of sacrifice, devoting her time to the grueling struggle against the open coal stockpile, Capitan was attacked by motorcycle-riding gunmen on the evening of July 1, 2016 —a mere few hours after the inauguration of President Duterte. She died en route to a hospital from bullet wounds in the head and neck and became the first nondrug-related victim of an extrajudicial killing under the Duterte administration.

The Sentro ng mga Nagkakaisa at Progresibong Manggagawa (Sentro) strongly condemns the atrocious death of Capitan. Her death is a reflection of the blatant disregard for human rights that has long plagued the country and of the culture of death and reprisal by those in power. Sentro calls for a swift and thorough investigation on the incident, and to arrest and prosecute the perpetrators and their masterminds.

Sentro holds all local government units and officials of Barangay Lucanin, of Mariveles, and of Bataan accountable for allowing the operation of an open coal stockpile near people’s communities, contributing to the degradation of the environment and people’s health.

Sentro also holds accountable LBHTI, and Seafront Shipyard and Port Terminal Services which apparently owns LBHTI, for continuing to pursue profits at the expense of people’s health. Documents show an increase in the number of Barangay Lucanin residents afflicted with skin diseases and upper respiratory ailments.

Sentro calls on President Duterte to stop the coal-mining operations, the building of coal-fired power plants, and other related activities in order to protect the rights and welfare of the people and the environment.

Furthermore, Sentro calls on the President, who has made statements encouraging “killings,” to halt the horrendous wave of extrajudicial killings.

Capitan and her organization’s bravery in the face of great adversity is worth applauding. Her death, however, signals a threat to human rights defenders in this country.

Justice for Gloria Capitan!

Fight against extrajudicial killings!

Fight against coal!

Fight for human rights!

—NICE S. CORONACION, Sentro ng mga Nagkakaisa at Progresibong Manggagawa, 94 Scout Delgado St., Barangay Laging Handa, Quezon City