The resolution tabled by Iceland expressed concern not only on reported cases on extrajudicial killings in the Philippines, but also on the cases of enforced disappearances, arbitrary arrest and detention, intimidation and persecution of or violence against members of civil society, human rights defenders, indigenous peoples, journalists, lawyers, members of the political opposition, and restrictions on the freedoms of opinion and expression, peaceful assembly and association.
According to initial reports, on July 7, 2019, at 12:30 pm, 42-year-old Salvador “Bador” Romano, a resident of Brgy. Tupas in Manjuyod, Negros Oriental, was shot four times by two assailants while onboard his motorcycle. “Serving as community leaders and human rights defenders, the deaths of Romano, Agsab and the other victims of President Rodrigo Duterte’s crackdown on rights defenders, activists, the poor, and the marginalized are truly lamentable. We continue condemning these relenting attacks being committed by the present regime against the Filipino people,” said Palabay.Karapatan noted Romano is an active member of the Iglesia Filipina Independiente and the adviser of its youth committee.