62
2020 Annual Report on the Human Rights Situation in the Philippines
214
On 25 January 2020, in Sitio Lugpis, Barangay Cambunang, Bulalacao, Oriental Mindoro,
Jay-Ar Mercado, an indigenous people organizer and a member of Bigkis at Tikas ng mga
Katutubo sa Timog Katagalugan (BAIATIK), was killed.266
215
After the killing of the former soldier Winston Ragos, the National Bureau of Investigation’s
Death Investigation Division has filed murder and perjury complaints before the Quezon
City Prosecutor’s Office against Police M/Sgt. Daniel Florendo and four (4) police trainees
namely: Joy Flaviano, Arnel Fontillas, Dante Fronda, and Dalejes Gaciles.267
216
During a clash between the NPA and government forces in Surigao del Sur last November,
the 22-year-old daughter of Bayan Muna Party-list representative Eufemia Campos
Cullamat, Jevilyn Cullamat, died during the encounter.268 On 1 December, CHR formally
received the complaint letter from Rep. Cullamat requesting an investigation into the case
of her daughter’s death.269 We note the statement of Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana
on his instruction to the Armed Forces of the Philippines to assist in the transport of the
remains of the Jevilyn and ensure that her lifeless body was “treated with dignity.”270
217
In Quezon province, there was an alleged extrajudicial killing of Jose Maceda Lubrica, 70
years old and a resident of Brgy. Alitao, Tayabas City, Quezon. He was killed while the
police officers were serving his warrant of arrest.271
218
In the Davao Region, alleged EJKs are being investigated by the regional office either motu
proprio or by complaint. Based on the investigation of cases relating to the War on Drugs,
most subjects killed in operations are those living in impoverished urban areas. Also, the
War on Drugs impacted not only loss of life but damage to the livelihood, education, and
mental health of surviving family members. Various EJK cases were acted upon by the
authorities based on the CHR Regional Office XI report and the PNP filed administrative
cases based on the Region 11 report against the police officers involved.272 273
219
It should be noted that the number of cases received by the CHR RO 11 in Davao City
pertaining to the War on Drugs have lessened when the region was subjected to various
levels of community quarantine because of the COVID-19 pandemic. It should also be
noted that the increasing number of infected persons in the region hampered the mobility
of CHR investigations on EJK cases.274
220
One recent event was the case of Vincent Adia, 27, of Angono, Rizal. A gunman shot him
three times in the head and left him with a placard labelling him a “pusher.” He survived
266
See full report, (2020). Regional Human Rights Situation Report for January to June 2020. Quezon City: CHR
Regional Office IV-MIMAROPA.
267
“NBI files murder, planting of evidence raps vs cops in Ragos killing,” Philstar.com, 4 June 2020, available at https://
www.philstar.com/headlines/2020/06/04/2018691/nbi-files-murder-planting-evidence-raps-vs-cops-ragos-killing.
268
Nepomuceno, Priam. “Death of Jevilyn Cullamat highlights Reds’ senseless cause,” Philippine News Agency, 30
November 2020, available at https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1123339, accessed 18 December 2020.
269
Commission on Human Rights. Statement of CHR spokesperson, Atty. Jacqueline Ann de Guia, on Rep. Cullamat’s
request seeking CHR’s investigation on the case of her slain daughter. CHR, 2 December 2020, available at http://
chr.gov.ph/statement-of-chr-spokesperson-atty-jacqueline-ann-de-guia-on-rep-cullamats-request-seeking-chrsinvestigation-on-the-case-of-her-slain-daughter/, accessed 18 December 2020.
270
Commission on Human Rights. Statement of CHR spokesperson, Atty Jacqueline Ann de Guia, on the death of Jevilyn
Cullamat. CHR, 30 November 2020, available at http://chr.gov.ph/statement-of-chr-spokesperson-atty-jacquelineann-de-guia-on-the-death-of-jevilyn-cullamat/, accessed 18 December 2020.
271
(2020). Report on the Human Rights Situation of the Disadvantaged, Marginalized and Vulnerable Sectors in
CALABARZON ( January-June 2020). San Pablo City: CHR Regional Office IV-CALABARZON.
272
See the full case, (2020). Regional Human Rights Situation Report January 2020 to June 2020. Davao City: CHR
Regional Office 11.
273
Ibid.
274
Ibid.