THE Bacolod City Police Station 3 is conducting a thorough investigation on the killing of a human rights activist on Sta. Maria Street, Eroreco Subdivision, Barangay Mandalagan, Bacolod City Monday evening, August 17.
Police identified the fatality as Zara Reboton Alvarez, 39, of Cadiz City, a member of human rights group Karapatan-Negros, and advocacy officer of the Negros Island Health Integrated Program (NIHIP).
Police Captain Richard Fajarito, chief of Police Station 3, said the victim was on her way to her boarding house when an unidentified assailant fired at her around 7:30 p.m.
The victim sustained multiple gunshot wounds and died on the spot.
Fajarito said the gunman, who was wearing face mask and ballcap, fled toward Eroreco Subdivision along with his unidentified companion who was on board a motorcycle.
He said Alvarez was identified as a member of the progressive group and they are looking into personal grudge or work-related as possible motives in the killing of the victim.
He added that they will coordinate with the family of the victim to determine if she had received threats before she was gunned down.
Karapatan-Negros, in a statement, said they are in deep grief and indignation.
"Today, we laid to rest Ka Randy Echanis, one of those who helped established Karapatan and staunch peace builder and land rights defender. Tonight, we learned of the sad news that our former campaign and education director and paralegal in Negros, Zara Alvarez, was killed in Bacolod City," it said.
Alvarez was imprisoned for nearly two years and after her release, she continued to work as Karapatan's paralegal and as research and advocacy officer of NIHIP.
Like Ka Randy, she was included as among those tagged as "terrorists" in proscription case of the Department of Justice filed in 2019. Her name and that of many others were stricken off the list, but the threat against her by alleged state forces continued.
"We extend our condolences to Zara's family and friends, as we and many other colleagues mourn the killing of a beloved human rights and health worker. We will never relent in pursuing justice for Zara, Ka Randy and all victims of extrajudicial killings. We will honor Zara's legacy as passionate, selfless and dedicated human rights worker, by continuing the struggle for realization of people's rights," the Karapatan-Negros added.
Bishop Gerardo Alminaza of San Carlos, in a statement, said Zara is a human rights champion in Negros Island, an activist, organizer and ecumenical church worker. "Her active involvement in the Church People-Workers Solidarity is worthy of emulation, always reminding us to be prophetic in our work of evangelization and social justice."
"I bleed of this never-ending injustice and violence, someone closest in my work with the oppressed is murdered. I just cannot believe this continuing madness of senseless killings! These systemic killings of human rights defenders and activists must be condemned and must stop. Our responsible agencies must pursue justice and accountability on those responsible and should never allow impunity of criminals doing senseless executions of Filipinos," the bishop said.
