Sixto V Bagasala Jr Killed
On 15 February 2014, community leader Mr Sixto V Bagasala Jr died after sustaining gun shots in a flea market near Malabon City. The human rights defender had previously received numerous death threats due to his work.
Mr. Sixto V. Bagasala Jr. was President of the Local Association of Urban Poor Communities in Malabon City and had been working for the rights of informal settlers to acquire secure, adequate, accessible and affordable housing. He was at the forefront of an effort for the construction of medium-rise buildings to be financed through the High Density Housing (HDH) Program of the Social Housing Finance Corporation.
On 15 February 2014, community leader Mr Sixto V Bagasala Jr died after sustaining gun shots in a flea market near Malabon City. The human rights defender had previously received numerous death threats due to his work.
On 15 February 2014, after attending a meeting on social housing for informal settlers, Sixto Bagasala was shot at in a flea market located in a crowded informal settlement between Barangay Catmon and Barangay Tonsuya near Malabon City. Reportedly, before the incident happened, witnesses noticed two men whom they were able to name roaming around the vicinity apparently waiting for someone. The named individuals vanished when Sixto Bagasala appeared at the scene. At that time the witnesses noticed two other named persons who approached Bagasala and opened fire on him from close range, hitting the human rights defender in his right leg, shoulder, chest and head. Before succumbing to the sustained injuries, Sixto Bagasala tried to escape from his attackers, however the men pursued him and fired more shots. When they eventually stopped, witnesses heard one of the gunmen say, “there will be more after you”.
Front Line Defenders roundly condemns the killing of Sixto Bagasala as it appears to be solely motivated by his legitimate and peaceful activities in the defence of human rights, specifically the housing rights of informal settlers.
Front Line Defenders urges the authorities in the Philippines to:
1. Carry out an immediate, thorough and impartial investigation into the killing of human rights defender Sixto Bagasala, with a view to publishing the results and bringing those responsible to justice in accordance with international standards;
2. Guarantee in all circumstances that all human rights defenders in the Philippines are able to carry out their legitimate human rights activities without fear of reprisals and free of all restrictions.
