P-Noy urged: Order probe on murder of rights worker

KIANGAN, Ifugao – A human rights lawyer handling the case of William Bugatti, a non-government organization worker allegedly slain by army agents here had been repeatedly harassed by military officers.

Bugatti died after being shot by persons in civilian clothing here in Barangay Bolog March 25.

Front Line Defenders, a human rights organization bared this, as it urged President Aquino to order concerned government offices to conduct thorough, impartial and immediate investigation on killing of Bugatti, publish results and bringing those responsible to justice.

Bugatti was a regional council member of Cordillera Human Rights Alliance-Karapatan and Cordillera Peoples Alliance and reportedly had been the subject of death threats, harassment and surveillance by the military.

This, time, the FLD said it was concerned at the surveillance and intimidation of lawyer Maria Catherine Dannug-Salucon since March.

The latest incident was reportedly on April 12, wherein other incidents of intimidation and surveillance were conducted by the military at her residence in Burgos, Isabela and her office.followingkilling of Bugatti, who was also acting as her paralegal assistant.

Dannug-Salucon is an active founding member and auditor of National Union of People's Lawyers (NUPL).

She is now legal representative to one of two political prisoners on trial on charges of murder and attempted murder in Lagawe, Ifugao.

The FLD said Dannug-Salucon had been under surveillance by Intelligence Services of the Armed Forces of the Philippines since March.

Individuals believed to belong to the Military Intelligence Group (MIG) have reportedly repeatedly visited her office since March 31 to and April 10.

On one of these occasions, she was reportedly asked to meet the head of MIG Isabela, allegedly so that they could explain the reasons for her surveillance.

At 10 a.m. on April 12, two men on a motorcycle reportedly raomed around vicinity of her home and a similar incident occured around 7.30 a.m. on April  3.

On March 12, 19 and 21, men on motorcycles, who appeared to be members of the military, patrolled the area around her office and questioned members of the local community on her whereabouts.

Dannug-Salucon was reportedly in the military's watch list of so-called “communist terrorist supporters” forproviding legal services.

The Regional Intelligence Division of the Philippine National Police allegedly issued a directive to the PNP office in her home town in Burgos, Isabela, ordering background investigation on whether she was a “Red lawyer.”

The FLD said in a statement it was concerned at the surveillance of Dannug-Salucon even as it “strongly condemns the killing of William Bugatti, asthey appear to be solely motivated by the legitimate and peaceful activities of the two human rights defenders, specifically the legal representation of political prisoners.”

The FLD urged government authorities to immediately “cease all forms of surveillance and harassment against Dannug-Salucon, as it is believed thatthese measures are solely related to her legitimate human rights activities.”

It also urged concerned government authorities to take measures to guarantee  physical and psychological security

of  the human rights lawyer.