Groups slam linking of rights advocate to Zambo airport bombing

Rights groups cry foul over the linking of a human rights defender to the May 13, 2009 Zamboanga airport bombing that killed two people and hurt 12 others, including Sulu Gov. Abdusakur Tan. At a press conference in Quezon City, human rights groups condemned the tagging as bombing suspect Temogen Sahipa Tulawie, the provincial chairperson of the Consortium of Bangsamoro Civil Society (CBCS). The groups that organized the Quezon City press conference were the Task Force Detainees of the Philippines (TFDP), Mindanao Peoples Caucus (MPC), Mindanao Solidarity Network (MSN) and the Philippine Alliance of Human Rights Advocates (PAHRA). “The Task Force Detainees of the Philippines supports Mr. Temogen “Cocoy" Tulawie in his quest for justice not only for himself but for all the people of Sulu province whose rights were violated. Being a human rights defender, it is his conviction to both God and the people to act against human rights violations that endanger his life and that of his family," Rita Melecio, TFDP Mindanao team leader said in a statement. According to the TFDP, Tulawie is a human rights defender, who has been active in organizing a local organization named “BAWBUG" – which means “Serve, Respect and Protect" in the Tausug language. Bawbug was established to defend the rights of Muslim communities affected by military operations in Sulu province. Tulawie was also an active member of Center for Humanitarian Dialogue (CHD) since 2004-2008 and a council member of Non-Violent Peace Force (NP), in the province. “Mr. tulawie’s human rights work is long and impressive, but it has also brought him in collision course with powerful local politicians," Ms. Melecio added. Mr. Tulawie is facing Multiple Frustrated Murder and Attempted Murder cases – criminal case no. (07-09) 1648-3, and criminal case no. (07-09) 1649-3 at the Regional Trial Court (RTC) branch 3 of Jolo, Sulu, which was filed on July 22,2009, implicating him in the said bombing incident. According to the TFDP, on May 26, 2009, a certain Mohammad Sulayman Muin and Juhan Alihuddin were arrested and later on forced to admit their culpability and accordingly named as respondent Mr. Temogen Tulawie and Congressman Arbison of the second District of Sulu as alleged masterminds. The two allegedly signed separate extra-judicial confessions which they eventually countered on June 29,2009. Alihuddin executed a counter-affidavit on his earlier confession and categorically denied having known the plans to kill Governor Tan and claimed that he was merely forced to sign the confession by the police and denied he was represented by counsel during the investigation. He said the counsel was merely provided by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), after he had already signed the prepared confession and that the contents of the said extra-judicial confession were false. Finally TFDP is urging concerned government agencies to immediately conduct an impartial investigation regarding the alleged procurement of false testimonies of the witnesses in pinning down Mr. Tulawie. “We are also calling for the speedy resolution of the Petition for Review and Prohibition he filed at the Department of Justice (DOJ). Uphold his integrity as a human rights defender!" Ms. Melecio concluded. — Egay Cabalitan Jr/LBG, GMANews.TV