THE LAST HUMAN RIGHTS’ DETHE LAST HUMAN RIGHTS’ DEFENDER FENDETHE LAST HUMAN RIGHTS’ DEFENDER FENDER 
OF SULU IS UNDER SEIGEOF SULU IS UNDER SEIGEOF SULU IS UNDER SEIGE 


Temogen “Cocoy” Tulawie belongs to to a prominent and 
notorious clan in Sulu. Instead of succumbing succumbing to the workings 


of the clan to gain political advancement advancement, he chose to serve 
the poor. Cocoy simply wants to create space for ordinary 
people to regain their dignity and self-respect amidst the 
endless recurring clan wars and the military’s military’s impunity to 
violate human rights of the individual Tausug and their 
communities. 

Immediately after his studies in Manila, Manila, Cocoy Tulawie 
started organizing the local organization named “BAWBUG”, 
which means “Serve, Respect and Protect” Protect” to address the 
human rights violations during the military military operations in the 
islands. Cocoy Tulawie was also an active active member of the 
Center for Humanitarian Dialogue (CHD) from from 2004-2008 and 
a council member of the Non-Violent PeacePeace Force in the 

province of Sulu. He served as a municipal municipal council of the 

capital town of Jolo from 2004-2007. During During his term, he was 
one of the organizers of the Concerned Concerned Citizens of Sulu that fought for the democratization democratization of local 
politics, transparency in governance and uphold rency in governance and upholding the rights of the residents of Sulu. s of Sulu. 

After the release of the two International International Committee of Red Cross (ICRC) members, Gov.ers, Gov. Sakur Tan of 
Sulu issued a state of emergency on on March 31, 2009 resulting to the arrest of 42 42 persons including 
two or more policemen, vendors, vendors, and barangay captains. Among those arrested arrested is the younger 
brother of the OIC mayor of Indanan OIC mayor of Indanan, Sulu. Eight of them were brought to Zamboanga City for further oanga City for further 
interrogation but after ten days, all were released due to lack o after ten days, all were released due to lack of evidence. 

Consistent with his human rights advocacy, Cocoy Tu ights advocacy, Cocoy Tulawie confronted the governor on h e governor on his declaration 
of state of emergency and on the su the subsequent mass arrests. Later, on April 4, 2009, 2009, he sent a petition 
before the Supreme Court, questioning questioning the legality of such declaration. Recently, the Supreme Court 
ruled that the declaration of state of emer claration of state of emergency in Sulu was unconstitutional. 

Cocoy organized fact-finding missions missions which exposed Gov. Sakur Tan’s culpability culpability by virtue of 
omission in relation to the rise of cases of gang rapes and sexual violence against against women in Sulu. 
Victims who were interviewed all all pointed to the sons of political warlords and and members of the 
Civilian Emergency Forces as perpetrators perpetrators of the heinous crimes. But justice was not served because 
the perpetrators are people who have connect are people who have connections with or are working for Gov. Sa ions with or are working for Gov. Sakur Tan. 

Cocoy Tulawie was subjected to a very a very systematic smear campaign. All those who hwho have attempted to 
extend support to him have been harassed and harassed and ridiculed, as if he was a bearer of a cur f a curse. On May 13, 


2009, a radio transceiver-controlledcontrolled bomb placed in a motorcycle parked in thethe capital grounds 
exploded when the convoy of the go en the convoy of the governor was directly beside it. Tan was unscathed but n was unscathed but nine people 
were injured. Two suspects were arrestedarrested and tortured for three days inside the the compound of the 
governor. Based on the confessions confessions of the two arrested suspects, Cocoy Tulawie Tulawie was allegedly 
named as one of those behind the the attempted assassination of Gov. Tan together together with other named 
politicians. Expectedly, based on trummed trummed-up charges, a warrant of arrest was issued issued against Cocoy 
Tulawie last October 5, 2009. Believing Believing he has no chance of being tried fairly fairly in Jolo, Cocoy 
transferred residence while waiting waiting for the Supreme Court decision on his motion motion for transfer of 
venue of trial to Davao. 
controlledcontrolled bomb placed in a motorcycle parked in thethe capital grounds 
exploded when the convoy of the go en the convoy of the governor was directly beside it. Tan was unscathed but n was unscathed but nine people 
were injured. Two suspects were arrestedarrested and tortured for three days inside the the compound of the 
governor. Based on the confessions confessions of the two arrested suspects, Cocoy Tulawie Tulawie was allegedly 
named as one of those behind the the attempted assassination of Gov. Tan together together with other named 
politicians. Expectedly, based on trummed trummed-up charges, a warrant of arrest was issued issued against Cocoy 
Tulawie last October 5, 2009. Believing Believing he has no chance of being tried fairly fairly in Jolo, Cocoy 
transferred residence while waiting waiting for the Supreme Court decision on his motion motion for transfer of 
venue of trial to Davao. 

Cocoy was arrested in Davao City last J ed in Davao City last January 13, 2012. 

His accusers want him to be separated separated from his fellow Tausugs and human rights rights advocates. Cocoy 
Tulawie is not a murderer. He is not is not capable of doing such dastardly act. ThroughThroughout the years when 
the Tausugs were subjected to continuing continuing human rights violations, he remained remained steadfast in his 
advocacy. He remained in the island island to extend protection and assistance to thesethese victims when 
others retreated to their comfort zones. zones. He is constantly called to facilitate resolution resolution of conflicts like 
banta or redo. He was instrumental instrumental in frustrating the implementation of an ID system system as initiated by 
then Col. Ecarma of the Philippine Ma ne Marines last January, 2008. He is held in high regard b egard by the ulamas 
and gurus because of his resiliency in fighting against s because of his resiliency in fighting against oppression. 

The arrogance of Gov. Tan stems not not solely from being a warlord, for he is not alone alone in wishing that 
Cocoy Tulawie is effectively neutralized. neutralized. The Philippine military, under the notorious notorious Task Force 
Comet also wants to silence Cocoy Tulawie. ts to silence Cocoy Tulawie. 

The United States of America is also also interested in getting rid of Cocoy Tulawie. Cocoy Tulawie has 
been at the forefront of an anti-imperialistimperialist movement in the island. When the US US Troops were about 
to enter the island, the local anti-imperialist movement reimperialist movement registered (in their thousand their thousands) their refusal to 
allow them. When the US troops manipulated manipulated their way into the island, Cocoy Tulawie Tulawie Tulawie stood 
firm in demanding their immediate pull ng their immediate pull-out. 

Let us not allow the conspiracy of th f the triumvirate – the US, the Philipine military, and ry, and the warlords in 
Sulu to triumph in rough-shoding Cocoy Tushoding Cocoy Tulawie’s rights and keeping him in jail. 

We call on all human rights advocates, advocates, people’s movement, lawyers’ groups and associations,associations, church 
individuals and institutions and progressive progressive people in the academe to help in the Free Cocoy Tulawie 
Campaign. Together with our broth er with our brother Tausugs, we will never submit to fear. 

KILUSAN PARA SA PAMBANSANG DEMOKILUSAN PARA SA PAMBANSANG DEMOKRASYA 
February 1, 2013