To all Government Officials of the Republic of the Philippines

Greetings of Peace!

I am writing to express my deep concern for the killing of Maria Myrna Porcare, an urban poor leader, and her son, Jimyr, when they defended theirs and their fellow villagers' dwellings on October 9, 2009. The mother and son were among the 1,000 informal settlers in a 2.4 hectare property in North Fairview, Quezon City.

The incident took place after the security guards of Melecio Lavares, a person claiming ownership of the contested lot the victims and their fellow villagers are occupying, began fencing the area that was not included in the boundary of his property. When Lavares's guards went to fence off the place, they had orders from the local Metropolitan Trial Court Branch 38 in Quezon City, for the eviction of the Domingo family only.

The Domingo family is reported to have also been occupying a portion of the 2.4 hectare contested property. However, the lot to which the couple had occupied and is the subject of the court order for eviction is only a fraction of the contested lot.

However, the guards, instead of fencing the boundaries as mentioned in the court order proceeded to fence off the dwellings of other villagers. The guards persistence on illegally fencing the areas no longer covered by the court order resulted in the needless conflict between them and the villagers which lead to the killing of the mother and son.

When Mrs. Porcare prevented the guards from fencing theirs and their fellow villagers' dwellings, she was shot at close range with a shot gun. When her son rushed to her side he was shot and killed instantly. The needless death of this mother and her son is shocking.

Although I appreciate the arrest and subsequent detention of the perpetrators I have deep reservations as to how the case will progress in terms of investigation, prosecution and hearing of the case in court. I am aware that even if cases are filed in court, the probability of the perpetrators not being held to account remains high. I therefore urge you to closely monitor the case in order for the police, the prosecutors and the court to ensure the possibility of securing a conviction.

I also urge you to consider affording compensation to the families of the dead.

For your information pls find below the details to wit;

Name of victims killed:
1. Maria Myrna Porcare, a leader of Samahan ng Magkakapitbahay sa Pechayan (SAMASAPE)
2. Jimyr Porcare, son of victim No. 1. They both lived in Pechayan, Barangay (village) North Fairview, a community near Tullahan River in Quezon City
Alleged perpetrators: Security guards of Melecio Lavares, a person claiming ownership of the contested lot the victims and their fellow villagers are occupying.
Date of incident: October 9, 2009

Maria Myrna Porcare is the 5th from the eldest daughter of mr Ricardo "Carding" and julita "Lita Verano a native from Palompon, Leyte, Philippines. Maria Myrna Porcare left 5 childrens and now being cared by her nephew REY.

Please i am asking for your action to this problem. We hope to hear from you the soonest possible time

More Power



Respectfully yours,


Joveniana Velarde. Malate
Philippines