Finardo
Cabilao, the Social Welfare Attache to the Embassy of the Philippines
in Malaysia, was found tortured and killed on 7 August 2009. He had
combated trafficking and received death threats from trafickers. Asia
Pacific Refugee Rights Network (APRRN) released the statement below on
2 September, endorsed by 77 civil society organisations worldwide, including FORUM-ASIA.
Finardo
Cabilao, the Social Welfare Attache to the Embassy of the Philippines
in Malaysia, was found tortured and killed on 7 August 2009. He had
combated trafficking and received death threats from trafickers. Asia
Pacific Refugee Rights Network (APRRN) released the statement below on
2 September, endorsed by 77 civil society organisations worldwide, including FORUM-ASIA.
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 Attaché continues the
work of Mr. Cabilao and that the embassy and government redouble their
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.
