2 September 2009
On 7 August 2009, the body of Finardo Cabilao was found in his residence in Malaysia. He appears to have been tortured and bludgeoned to death. The circumstances of his death indicate that he was targeted because of his work against human traffickers.
During his appointment as the Social Welfare Attaché to the Embassy of the Philippines in Kuala Lumpur, Mr. Cabilao worked tirelessly on behalf of Filipino victims of trafficking. He also played an important role in developing and advocating for the adoption of the recent ASEAN Guidelines for the Protection of Trafficked Children. As a result of his work combating trafficking, which included testifying against them in legal proceedings in Malaysia, Mr. Cabilao received death threats from traffickers – death threats that ultimately appear to have been acted upon.
We, the undersigned organizations, wish to express our sadness, shock and grave concern at the news of the death of Mr. Cabilao.
Firstly, we extend our deep condolences to the family of Mr. Finardo Cabilao, especially to his wife and two children. We hope that Mr. Cabilao’s legacy of bringing safety and hope to countless victims of trafficking may bring them comfort even as we recognize that no legacy can begin to replace the loss of a husband, father, son and brother.
Secondly, we call upon the Filipino government to recognize the legacy of Mr. Cabilao by ensuring that its next Social Welfare assistance to all Filipino victims of trafficking, both in Malaysia and upon return to the Philippines.
Thirdly, we demand that the Malaysian government promptly and thoroughly investigate the murder of Mr. Cabilao and make every effort to identify, arrest and prosecute his murderers. We remind the Malaysian government that the international community has found its efforts to combat trafficking wanting and that the flagrant murder of Mr. Cabilao is a direct result of the sense of impunity that human traffickers have enjoyed for too long in Malaysia. We believe that the commitment of the Malaysian government to opposing human trafficking is in doubt as long as it allows the murderers of Mr. Cabilao remain at large.
Fourthly, we reiterate the need for all governments in the region to continue working individually and collectively to combat human trafficking and to ensure that all those who join the opposition to human trafficking are provided with support and protection.
This statement was written by members of the Asia Pacific Refugee Rights Network (APRRN)1, and has been endorsed by the following organisations and individuals:
International
Chin Human Rights Organization
International Detention Coalition
Mapendo International
UNANIMA International
VIVAT International
Regional
Australia‐New Zealand Province of the Society of the Sacred Heart
Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development
Good Shepherd Asia Pacific Justice & Peace Network
Justice, Peace & Solidarity In Mission Office, The Congregation of the Good Shepherd Sisters, Province of
Singapore‐Malaysia
Migrant Forum in Asia
Nonviolence International Southeast Asia
Philippine NGO Council on Population, Health and Welfare
Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Thailand and Cambodia
The Arakan Project
Australia
Australian National Committee on Refugee Women
Bangladesh
BOMSA
Kazi Nurmohammad Hossainul Haque, Manager, Programme and Communications, Management and Resources
Development Initiative (MRDI)*
Ovibashi Karmi Unnayan Program (OKUP)
Egypt
Africa & Middle East Refugee Assistance – Egypt
Egyptian Foundation for Refugee Rights
Hong Kong
Hong Kong Refugee Advice Centre
India
Arunodhaya Migrant Initiatives
Burma Centre Delhi
Priyanca Mathur Velath, JNU*
Indonesia
Indonesia Legal Aid Foundation
Japan
Services for the Health in Asian and African Regions (SHARE)
South Korea
Korean Public Interest Lawyers Group GONGGAM
Malaysia
Children’s Legal Bureau, Inc
Citizens International
Civil Society Committee of LLG Cultural Development Centre (LLG‐CSC)
Friends of Women, Selangor (PSWS)
Health Equity Initiatives
Persatuan Kesedaran Komuniti Sealngor (Empower)
Suara Rakyat Malaysia (SUARAM)
The Centre for Independent Journalism Malaysia
The National Human Rights Society
Nepal
Forum for Protection of People’s Rights Nepal (PPR Nepal)
INHURED International
Nepal Institute for Development Studies
POURAKHI, an Organization of Women Migrant Workers
New Zealand
The Little Company of Mary Sisters
Pakistan
Pakistan International Human Rights Organization
Philippines
Action for Health Initiatives (ACHIEVE), Inc.
Center for Migrant Advocacy Philippines
Development Action for Women Network (DAWN),
Edgardo Pedro Legaspi*
Ester Mansos Felix, Executive Director, Refugee Services Philippines, Inc. (RSPI)*
Foundation for Media Alternatives
Franciscan Missionaries of Mary‐Migrant Ministry (FMM‐MM)
Assistant Professor Laufred I. Hernandez, University of the Philippines*
Legal Rights and Natural Resources Center, Friends of the Earth
MIGRANTE International
Peoples Partner for Development and Democracy (PPDD)
Religious Women Against Trafficking (RWAT)
Reproductive Rights Resource Group
Rodelyn Marte*
Teresa Jopson*
Women, Justice and Peace and Integrity of Creation (WJPIC) Office of the Good Shepherd Sisters in the
Philippines
Singapore
Organization for the Empowerment of Singaporeans
Sri Lanka
Migrant Services Center
South Africa
Lawyers for Human Rights
Thailand
Anna Malindog, Founder/Executive Director, Peoples Partner for Development and Democracy (PPDD)*
Asia Indigenous Peoples Pact (AIPP)
Congregation “Daughters of Mary Help of Christians” (Salesian Sisters of Don Bosco)
Fountain of Life Center, Pattaya
Niza Concepcion, Committee for Asian Women*
Penny Thame, VSO*
Roby Alampay, Executive Director, Southeast Asian Press Alliance*
Rufino Seva, Project Manager, Bangkok Refugee Center*
USCRI Thailand
The Netherlands
Netherlands Centre for Indigenous Peoples
USA
Bon Secours Health System, Inc.
Catholic Health East
Congregation of Our Lady of Charity of the Good Shepherd ‐ Good Shepherd International Justice Peace Office
(New York)
Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers
Midwest Coalition for Responsible Investments
Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate, Justice, Peace/Integrity of Creation Office
Sisters of Mercy of the Americas Institute Justice Office
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