APCHRP: BRUTAL MURDER OF FATHER ATTENDING CHILD’S MOVING UP CEREMONY UNDERSCORES THE U.S-MARCOS REGIME’S BLOODLUST
The Asia-Pacific Coalition for Human Rights in the Philippines (APCHRP) vehemently condemns the senseless murder of James Quiñones, a father on his way to attend his child’s moving up ceremony in Sorsogon, last March 25 by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP). It is yet another example of state-orchestrated violence under President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and his military, backed by the United States government.
While the AFP attempted to deflect blame by saying Quiñones was killed by a “stray bullet”, according to accounts by the victim’s own family – James’ body was brutally riddled with bullets and described him as having been killed “like a stray animal”. It was only after Quiñones’ relatives took to social media to express their grief and condemnation of the military that the AFP made a comment on his death. Quiñones’ family added how heightened military presence in their area intimidated their community, proven by the fact that even their own neighbours were afraid to talk to them in the hours after James’ body was recovered out of fear of local soldiers.
This is yet another grave violation of International Humanitarian Law (IHL) and the Comprehensive Agreement on Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CAHRIHL). The U.S.-backed Marcos regime continues to target civilians it accused of being rebel combatants, sowing fear and intimidation within their communities. Even the grieving family of Quiñones was subjected to harassment as they attempted to retrieve his body from the military – an act that further exposes the regime’s utter disregard for human dignity and rights.
The Asia Pacific Coalition for Human Rights in the Philippines (APCHRP) calls for accountability from the Marcos Jr. regime and the military forces deployed across the region. They are directly responsible for the growing number of lives lost under intensifying militarization in Sorsogon, Masbate and other parts of the Philippines. These dastardly actions by the Philippine military are only fuelled by U.S. backing, which is why the Coalition also calls for an end to military agreements between the Philippines and U.S., including the junking of the National Action Plan for Unity Peace and Development (NAP UPD) – a U.S.-backed counterinsurgency program that continues to fuel widespread human rights violations across the Philippines. The Marcos Jr. regime and its U.S. imperialist masters must be ultimately held to account for their militarist actions.
