MANILA, Philippines – Kinondena ng dalawang human rights organizations nitong Martes, Hunyo 24, ang pagpatay sa transgender woman activist na si Ali Macalintal, na binaril-patay sa General Santos City.
Si Macalintal, na dating radio broadcaster ng RPN DXDX, ay nagtatrabaho bilang freelance acupuncturist nang siya ay patayin.
Itinumba ito ng gunman na nagpanggap na kliyente ng clinic kung saan siya nagtatrabaho.
Ayon sa Bahaghari, alyansa ng LGBTIQ organizations, ang pagpatay kay Macalintal ay “emblematic of the situation of media workers and the state of press freedom in the Philippines.”
“Ali was a steadfast and outspoken human rights advocate… She even sought to organize Bahaghari in Mindanao. She was never afraid to speak truth to power and expose uncomfortable truths,” sinabi pa ni Reyna Valmores Salinas, Bahaghari chairperson.
“We lost a powerful voice in advancing LGBTQ+ rights in the country. Ali’s bravery will not be forgotten by the community during Pride month,” the trans woman leader declared,” dagdag ni Salinas.
Kinondena rin ng Karapatan ang pagpatay. Si Macalintal ay dating nagtrabaho bilang deputy secretary sa Soccsksargen ng naturang organisasyon.
“Macalintal co-organized and courageously participated in several fact-finding missions in Mindanao, including those at the height of martial law in the island,” pahayag ni Karapatan secretary general Cristina Palabay.
“We fervently hope that [her] killing will not go the way of other extrajudicial killings of activists that were never resolved because of the culture of impunity prevailing in this country,” dagdag ng Karapatan.
Hinimok ng Karapatan ang mga awtoridad na imbestigahan ang pagpatay kay Macalintal. RNT/JGC
