Ms.

Loretta Ann Rosales

Chairperson
Commission on Human Rights
SAAC Bldg., Commonwealth Avenue
U.P. Complex, Diliman
Quezon City
PHILIPPINES

Essen, 14. April 2011

Call for the Investigation of the Killing of Celito Baccay

Dear Chairwoman Rosales,

The Action Network Human Rights -Philippines has been informed by one of its partner organi-
zations about the brutal killing of union leader Celito Baccay on March 8, 2011.
According to the findings of a fact finding mission conducted by the Workerʼ Assistance Center
(WAC), the Center for Trade Union and Human Rights (CTUHR) and the Solidarity of Cavite
Workers (SCW) conducted after the incident there are strong indicators that Mr. Baccayʼs assas-
sination could be union-related.
Baccay was killed while driving his motorcycle on his way home after his work shift last March 8,
2011. As a board member of the Maeno-Giken Workers Organization (MAGIKWO) Celito Bac-
cay was one of the most active union leaders within the steel factory Maeno Giken Inc. in Das-
mariñas, Cavite province.
According to the victim's wife, the company's management has long been angered by Baccay for
initiating the formation of the labor union in 2009 and that the tense situation further aggravated
when Celito Baccay recently denied the promotion being offered to him by the management on
condition that he disaffiliates from the union.
The investigation by WAC, CTUHR and SCW further revealed that Baccay and other unionists
have been under surveillance before and endured constant harassment and intimidation from
the management including frequent disciplinary actions and undue transfer of work assignments.
Fellow unionists of Baccay suspect that the Maeno Giken Inc. management is behind the killing
as Baccay was often berated and insulted by company President Shinichiro Maeno and VP for
operations Gart Dennis Melchor because of his principles and staunch advocacy for work-
ers'rights.
We strongly condemn the killing of Mr. Celito Baccay and encourage you
- to carry out an immediate, impartial and thorough investigation on the murder of Celito
Baccay and a possible involvement of the Maeno Giken management, and
- to investigate about the reported harassments and surveillances of leaders and members
of MAGIKWO.
We are confident that you will take this issue very serious and we are looking forward to receive
information about the action you will take in this case.
Very Sincerely Yours,

Elmar Noé Maike Grabowski

(Chairman) (Coordinator)

Copy to:

German Embassy Manila Philippine Embassy Berlin

25/F Tower 2, RCBC Plaza Uhlandstr.97
6819 Ayala Ave 10715 Berlin
Makati City, Metro Manila Germany

About the Action Network Human Rights - Philippines

The Action Network Human Rights - Philippines was formed in August 2007 to promote lobby-
and information work in Germany regarding the human rights situation in the Philippines.
Through its office, the network coordinates publications, events and lobby activities. Target
groups are political decision makers, human rights defenders and social activists as well as the
media in Germany and Europe.

Member organizations are Amnesty International Germany, Diakonie Human Rights Desk /
Bread for the World, Church Development Service (EED), Misereor, Missio, philippinenbüro and
United Evangelical Mission (UEM). The main focuses of the network are extrajudicial killings and
enforced disappearances.