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Sanchez widow files charges with Joint Monitoring Committee

BAGUIO CITY (May 17) — Elvie Sanchez, widow of slain Bayan Muna-Ilocos Regional Coordinator Romeo “Romy” Sanchez, filed two cases of human rights violations with the Joint Monitoring Committee (JMC) between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDF) in Manila on April 5, 2005.

Sanchez said she filed charges of human rights violations with the JMC for the killing of her husband on March 9 at the Baguio City Public Market. Romy was one of the non-government organizations (NGO) and church workers who were illegally arrested, tortured and maliciously charged to the death of Conrado Balweg in 2002.

Despite many legal requirements needed for the cases, Sanchez is still keen to pursue and seek justice for her late husband. She calls on media practitioners to update the public regarding developments on these cases.

Continuing harassment

Sanchez confided to NORDIS the continuing surveillance of people who have worked with her late husband. “May death threats sa mga kasamahan ng asawa ko,” (My husband’s co-workers still receive death threats) she said.

Solidarity of Peasants Against Exploitation (STOP-Ex) Secretary General Avelino Dacanay supported the statements of Sanchez, saying that members of the Revolutionary Proletarian Army-Alex Boncayao Brigade (RPA-ABB) threatened to kill them if they will not refrain from their organizing work.

“Pinuntahan ang mga kasama namin at sinabihan na uubusin daw ang mga organizer ng La Union. Nakilala naman ‘nung pastor ‘yung tao pero siyempre, takot magsalita,” (They confronted our fellow organizers and warned that they will kill all the organizers of La Union. One pastor identified those men, but of course, is afraid to speak) he added.

Aside from Sanchez, Josephine Perez; Avelino Dacanay; Edson Halabaso and three other victims of human rights violations in Ilocos and La Union also filed violations of human rights with the JMC.# Joel A. Capulong for NORDIS

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