Task Force Detainees of the Philippines

January 16,2012

“TFDP CALLS FOR FAIR, IMPARTIAL AND SPEEDY DISPOSITION OF MR. TULAWIE’S CASE”

Task Force Detainees of the Philippines (TFDP), is calling for fair, impartial and speedy disposition of the case of Mr. Temogen “Cocoy” Tulawie. He was arrested on January 13,2012 at 11:45 in the evening by combined elements of Military Intelligence Group (MIG), Region 9, Special Action Force (SAF)and Police Intelligence (R2), in Catalunan Grande, Davao City.

TFDP, supports Mr. 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 the human rights violations that endanger his life and that of his family.

Mr. Tulawie has an impressive record in human rights defense and promotion. He is the former provincial chairperson of the Consortium of Bangsamoro Civil Society (CBCS), a coalition of Bangsamoro civil society organizations (CSOs) within the province of Sulu. His works involves monitoring and documentation of cases of human rights violations affecting Muslim communities in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), especially in the province of Sulu.

The United Nations Declaration on Human Rights Defenders, adopted in 1998, enumerated some rights and protection accorded to human rights defenders, among others; to seek the protection and realization of human rights at the national and international level and to make complaints about official policies and acts relating to human rights and to have such complaints reviewed.

Under this declaration, the state is bound with the duties to protect, promote and implement human rights and to provide an effective remedy for persons who claim to have been victims of human rights violations.

With these safeguards, TFDP is certain that Mr. Tulawie will be afforded with impartiality by the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the court will hear his case without prejudice considering that his private complainant is a prominent Governor of Sulu.

Uphold his integrity as a human rights defender!

RITA M. MELECIO

Deputy Executive Director

Task Force Detainees of the Philippines

Cell: 09497215341