APCHRP CONDEMNS HARASSMENT OF PEASANT LEADER DANILO RAMOS
On September 12, six men in civilian clothing reportedly went to Ramos’s hometown in Malolos, Bulacan and initially claimed to be farmers who wanted to speak with him. They later told a local government official that they were military personnel from the “General Headquarters,” with one identifying himself as “Master Sergeant Banjo.” The men reportedly demanded to speak with local farmer organizations before leaving. Suspicious individuals were also reportedly seen monitoring the homes of Ramos’s relatives. On September 14, three of the same men allegedly returned and again questioned local officials about farmer organizations in the area.
These incidents reportedly came only weeks after the August 31 anti-corruption protest in Malolos, where Ramos was among the leading figures calling for accountability over anomalous and failed flood control projects. Ramos has long been a prominent peasant leader and advocate for genuine land reform, while continuing to organize farmers and communities affected by government policies and projects. His participation in the Bulacan protest has also been publicly reported.
APCHRP condemns the use of surveillance, intimidation and harassment against Ramos and the farmer organizations he works with. The military has no legitimate role in monitoring the lawful organizing activities of peasants and other civilian communities. Such actions create fear, restrict the people’s right to organize, and threaten the fundamental rights to freedom of expression, association and peaceful protest.
The harassment of Danilo Ramos must be understood within the broader pattern of attacks against human rights defenders, peasant leaders and critics of government corruption in the Philippines. Instead of investigating allegations of corruption and holding those responsible accountable, state forces must not be allowed to turn their machinery against those who expose injustice and demand accountability.
APCHRP calls for an immediate end to the surveillance and harassment of Danilo Ramos, his family, and farmer organizations in Bulacan. We call on the Philippine government to respect the rights of peasants and human rights defenders and to ensure that no state agency is used to intimidate or silence those who stand for land, rights and justice.
HANDS OFF DANILO RAMOS! DEFEND THE RIGHT TO ORGANIZE AND PROTEST! DEFEND PEASANTS AND HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS!
